- a domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus, descended from various jungle fowl, especially the red jungle fowl, and developed in a number of breeds for its flesh, eggs, and feathers.
- the young of this bird, especially when less than a year old.
- the flesh of the chicken, especially of the young bird, used as food.
- Slang.
- a cowardly or fearful person.
- a young or inexperienced person, especially a young girl.
- petty details or tasks.
- unnecessary discipline or regulations.
- a young gay male, especially one sought as a sexual partner by older men.
- a contest in which two cars approach each other at high speed down the center of a road, the object being to force one's opponent to veer away first.
- a policy or strategy of challenging an opponent to risk a clash or yield: diplomats playing chicken at the conference table.
- (of food) containing, made from, or having the flavor of chicken: chicken salad; chicken soup.
- Slang.
- cowardly.
- petty or trivial: a chicken regulation.
- obsessed with petty details, regulations, etc.: He's quitting this chicken outfit to become his own boss.
- chicken out, Slang.
- to refrain from doing something because of fear or cowardice: I chickened out when I saw how deep the water was.
- to renege or withdraw: You can't chicken out of this business deal now.
- to rely on a benefit that is still uncertain: They were already spending wildly, in anticipation of their inheritance, counting their chickens before they were hatched.
- a domestic fowl bred for its flesh or eggs, esp a young one
- the flesh of such a bird used for food
- any of various similar birds, such as a prairie chicken
- a cowardly person
- a young inexperienced person
- an underage boy or girl regarded as a potential target for sexual abuse
- any of various, often dangerous, games or challenges in which the object is to make one's opponent lose his nerve
- to be overoptimistic in acting on expectations which are not yet fulfilled
- disorganized and uncontrolled
- no longer young
- easily scared; cowardly; timid
