Words / A1

HEN/hen/

A hen is a female chicken that often lives on a farm and lays eggs. Countable: a hen, hens. A chick is a baby; chicken is the meat or the bird in general. A duck lives more on water. Hen party is a later meaning.

Meaning

A female chicken that often lives on a farm and lays eggs.

Examples

• “The hen laid an egg this morning.”
• “The hen is sitting on her eggs.”
• “There are six hens in the garden.”

Good to know

a hen (female chicken, eggs). Contrast: duck (water), chick (baby). Meat: chicken.

New