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. SeeleyExamples 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 Web
Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 June 2025
There are lots of ways to use it, but my favorite right now is weeknight chicken.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 June 2025
McDonald’s announcement also comes one day after rival Popeyes launched its own chicken wrap, a first for the fried chicken chain.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Popeyes chicken wraps and blueberry beverages are available at participating locations nationwide and on the Popeyes app and website for a limited time, while supplies last.
—Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for chicken
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Noun
Try to include lean protein sources in each meal, like chicken, fish, beans, and legumes.2829
Regular exercise: Include strength training and cardiovascular exercises, such as swimming or brisk walking, into your routine to build muscle and burn fat.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 June 2025
There are lots of ways to use it, but my favorite right now is weeknight chicken.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 June 2025
McDonald’s announcement also comes one day after rival Popeyes launched its own chicken wrap, a first for the fried chicken chain.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Popeyes chicken wraps and blueberry beverages are available at participating locations nationwide and on the Popeyes app and website for a limited time, while supplies last.
—Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for chicken
Cite this Entry
“Chicken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chicken. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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