1
a
: a female chicken especially over a year old
broadly : a female bird
b
: the female of various mostly aquatic animals (such as lobsters or fish)
2
: woman
especially : a fussy middle-aged woman

Examples of hen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Guests ordering eggs can choose between hen or duck eggs, sourced from a nearby farm where the kitchen composts their organic waste. Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2025 Producer Cal-Maine said in its earnings report on Tuesday that its average number of laying hens in its fourth fiscal quarter of 2025 climbed 18% compared with the same period a year prior. Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 July 2025 Does a boss tom always show up on camera strutting with a group of hens? Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2025 Michigan residents are encouraged to report sightings of hens, poults, and male turkeys using an online form. Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for hen

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English henn; akin to Old English hana rooster — more at chant

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of hen was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hen. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

hen

noun
1
: a female chicken especially over a year old
2
: a female of any bird

More from Merriam-Webster on hen

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