chicken

American  

[chik-uhn] / ˈtʃɪk ən /

noun

1. a domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus, descended from various jungle fowl, especially the red jungle fowl, and developed in a number of breeds for its flesh, eggs, and feathers.

2. the young of this bird, especially when less than a year old.

3. the flesh of the chicken, especially of the young bird, used as food.

4. Slang.

   1. a cowardly or fearful person.

   2. a young or inexperienced person, especially a young girl.

   3. petty details or tasks.

   4. unnecessary discipline or regulations.

   5. a young gay male, especially one sought as a sexual partner by older men.

5. a contest in which two cars approach each other at high speed down the center of a road, the object being to force one's opponent to veer away first.

6. a policy or strategy of challenging an opponent to risk a clash or yield.

   diplomats playing chicken at the conference table.

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adjective

1. (of food) containing, made from, or having the flavor of chicken.

   chicken salad; chicken soup.

2. Slang.

   1. cowardly.

   2. petty or trivial.

      a chicken regulation.

   3. obsessed with petty details, regulations, etc..

      He's quitting this chicken outfit to become his own boss.

verb phrase

1. chicken out

   1. to refrain from doing something because of fear or cowardice.

      I chickened out when I saw how deep the water was.

   2. to renege or withdraw.

      You can't chicken out of this business deal now.

idioms

1. count one's chickens before they are hatched, to rely on a benefit that is still uncertain.

   They were already spending wildly, in anticipation of their inheritance, counting their chickens before they were hatched.

chicken British  

/ ˈtʃɪkɪn /

noun

1. a domestic fowl bred for its flesh or eggs, esp a young one

2. the flesh of such a bird used for food

3. any of various similar birds, such as a prairie chicken

4. slang a cowardly person

5. slang a young inexperienced person

6. slang an underage boy or girl regarded as a potential target for sexual abuse

7. informal any of various, often dangerous, games or challenges in which the object is to make one's opponent lose his nerve

8. to be overoptimistic in acting on expectations which are not yet fulfilled

9. informal disorganized and uncontrolled

10. slang no longer young

    she's no chicken

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adjective

1. slang easily scared; cowardly; timid

chicken More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing chicken

• count one's chickens
• go to bed with (the chickens)
• like a chicken with its head cut off
• no spring chicken

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Etymology

Origin of chicken

First recorded before 950; 1605–15 chicken for def. 4a; 1940–45 chicken for def. 6; Middle English chiken, Old English cīcen; akin to Middle Dutch kieken ( Dutch kuiken ), Low German küken

Explanation

A chicken is a domesticated bird that is raised on farms for meat or eggs. Many cities allow people to keep a few chickens in their yards as pets and egg layers. You can talk about your pet chicken with its brown feathers and funny feet, but you might also use the word chicken to order dinner at a restaurant: "I'll have the chicken." When a person is described as a chicken, it means she's easily scared or a coward. The Old English cicen, "young fowl," is the source of chicken. Calling someone chicken for being frightened has been hurting feelings since the 14th century.

Example Sentences

CNN initially faced scepticism and struggles - being mocked as the "Chicken Noodle Network" in its early years by those who thought it would not succeed.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

Chicken has been Tyson’s profit engine; now that might also face margin pressure at an already difficult time.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

The restaurant operator posted higher revenue in the first quarter, driven by growth at its chains Taco Bell and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

An animal sanctuary in Vacaville, dubbed the Funky Chicken Rescue, took in eight of the ducks, according to a social media post.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

Chicken gave a kid at the library a nosebleed.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

Related Words

• hen
• poultry