plural chickens
1
a
: the common domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) especially when young
also
: its flesh used as food compare jungle fowl
b
: any of various birds or their young
2
: a young woman
3
a
: coward
b
: any of various contests in which the participants risk personal safety in order to see which one will give up first
4
[short for chickenshit] slang
: petty details
5
slang
: a young or youthful gay man
also
: a boy or young man regarded as an object of sexual interest especially by a man compare chicken hawk sense 3
2
chickened; chickening
ˈchi-kᵊn-iŋ 
ˈchik-niŋ
: to lose one's nerve
—usually used with out
seemed to exhibit courage, manliness, and conviction when others chickened out—
J. R. Seeley
J. R. SeeleySynonyms
Examples of chicken in a Sentence
Noun
We had chicken for dinner.
It's just a spider, you chicken!
Don't be such a big chicken.
Adjective
too chicken to go through with the stunt
just concentrate on the important duties of the job and forget about the chicken stuff
Recent Examples on the WebMelissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
Menu offerings at Andiamo Pasta & Chops include its handmade pasta classics and Italian favorites, paired with offerings of premium steaks, free-range chicken, and sustainable seafood.
—Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024
In order to pay Linda back, Paulette promises to cook her chicken with peppers — a dish that was Giulio’s specialty before his demise, and thus carries the taste of trauma for mother and daughter alike.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
The chicken is a nod to his childhood in Hawaii, while the curry is a play on one of the owner's favorite meals from Oak.
—The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024
In addition to the Chicken Shack, other chicken menu items available at Shake Shack include a Korean Style Fried Chicken Sandwich, an Avocado Bacon Chicken sandwich, and Chicken Bites, which is the company's take on chicken nuggets.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
End of carousel The night before Evelyn was to turn her baby over, on Nov. 29, 2022, the women traveled to Fort Worth and met in person for the first time over a chicken quesadilla dinner.
—Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Strangers, old friends and everyone in between are getting a warm welcome at the new Londa’s To-Go in West Charlotte, where takeout orders for fried chicken, smothered pork chops, cabbage and candied yams are flying out the door.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2024
The entire buffet adds leg of lamb, ham and roast chicken, oysters, shrimp cocktail and ceviche, plus sides and salads.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
Turn chicken and cook for 1 to 2 minutes on the other side, just until no longer pink (the chicken will still be very raw inside).
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
Menu offerings at Andiamo Pasta & Chops include its handmade pasta classics and Italian favorites, paired with offerings of premium steaks, free-range chicken, and sustainable seafood.
—Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024
In order to pay Linda back, Paulette promises to cook her chicken with peppers — a dish that was Giulio’s specialty before his demise, and thus carries the taste of trauma for mother and daughter alike.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
The chicken is a nod to his childhood in Hawaii, while the curry is a play on one of the owner's favorite meals from Oak.
—The Arizona Republic, 9 Apr. 2024
In addition to the Chicken Shack, other chicken menu items available at Shake Shack include a Korean Style Fried Chicken Sandwich, an Avocado Bacon Chicken sandwich, and Chicken Bites, which is the company's take on chicken nuggets.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
End of carousel The night before Evelyn was to turn her baby over, on Nov. 29, 2022, the women traveled to Fort Worth and met in person for the first time over a chicken quesadilla dinner.
—Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024
Strangers, old friends and everyone in between are getting a warm welcome at the new Londa’s To-Go in West Charlotte, where takeout orders for fried chicken, smothered pork chops, cabbage and candied yams are flying out the door.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2024
The entire buffet adds leg of lamb, ham and roast chicken, oysters, shrimp cocktail and ceviche, plus sides and salads.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chicken.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near chicken
Cite this Entry
“Chicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chicken. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chicken
2 of 3 adjectivechicken
3 of 3 verb
chickened; chickening
ˈchik-(ə-)niŋ
: to lose one's courage
—usually used with out
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share