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.
Burd also expressed excitement that the Attwater's greater prairie chicken is on the new list.
From Salon • Jun. 26, 2023
Clay Nichols, the lesser prairie chicken coordinator with the U.S.
From New York Times • Nov. 17, 2022
Fish and Wildlife Service is nearly five months late in releasing a final rule outlining protections for the lesser prairie chicken.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 25, 2022
This behavior is observed in several bird species including the sage grouse and the prairie chicken.
From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022
If pheasant is not obtainable, prairie chicken is a perfect substitute for it, or woodcock will do in the place of either.
From Gala Day Luncheons A Little Book of Suggestions by Burrell, Caroline Benedict
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.
