prairie chicken
Americannoun
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either of two North American gallinaceous birds of western prairies, Tympanuchus cupido greater prairie chicken, or T. pallidicinctus lesser prairie chicken, having brown, black, white, and rufous plumage: both species, once abundant, have diminished greatly in number and are classified as vulnerable.
noun
Etymology
Origin of prairie chicken
An Americanism dating back to 1685–95
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Laura Parker, a lawyer for the center, said it can be hard for people to understand why a tiny lizard, or rare mussel species, or the lesser prairie chicken are worth preserving.
From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026
The lesser prairie chicken is the only grassland bird federally listed as endangered, but only in part of its range.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 25, 2023
Clay Nichols, the lesser prairie chicken coordinator with the U.S.
From New York Times ● Nov. 17, 2022
This behavior is observed in several bird species including the sage grouse and the prairie chicken.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
The seventh course consists of snipe, prairie chicken, squabs, etc., but poultry, such as spring chicken, or duck, may be served instead.
From Civic League Cook Book by
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
