1. Adult female chicken
   "The hen clucked softly as she settled onto her nest";
   - biddy
    
2. Adult female bird
   "The hen turkey guarded her chicks closely"
    
3. Female of certain aquatic animals e.g. octopus or lobster
   "The fisherman caught a hen lobster carrying eggs"
    
4. Flesh of an older chicken suitable for stewing
   "The chef used hen to make a flavourful coq au vin"

Derived forms: hens

Type of: bird, birdie [informal], chicken, chook [Austral, NZ, informal], female, Gallus gallus, poulet, volaille [archaic]

Encyclopedia: Hen, Møre og Romsdal