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 service said it also is developing “conservation tools and guidance documents” involving the lesser prairie chicken for landowners and business interests as well as other government agencies.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 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
Gordon was carrying a large jack-rabbit, and several brace of prairie chicken.
From The Son of his Father by Cullum, Ridgwell
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.
