Henhouse

/ˈhɛnˌhaʊs/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A shelter for hens, typically found on a farm, where they can lay eggs and be protected from predators.

The farmer built a new henhouse to keep his chickens safe from the cold weather.

A structure designed specifically for the accommodation of poultry, primarily hens.

Each henhouse on the farm can hold up to fifty birds comfortably.

A place where hens can roam freely during the day and return to a secure shelter at night.

The hens enjoyed their time in the yard but always returned to the henhouse before sunset.

The term arises from 'hen', a female chicken, and 'house', a structure for living.

locked in the henhouse:

A situation where too many have entered or are tied to a commitment with no easy exit.

A place where a lot of clucking happens, metaphorically indicating gossip or chatter.

The office has turned into a real henhouse with all the gossip floating around.

Referring to a chaotic or uncontrolled environment.

After the kids arrived, the house turned into a henhouse.