chicken wire: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, Technical (construction/gardening)
Quick answer
What does “chicken wire” mean?
A type of thin, flexible wire mesh with a hexagonal pattern, used for fencing, especially to enclose poultry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of thin, flexible wire mesh with a hexagonal pattern, used for fencing, especially to enclose poultry.
Any lightweight, hexagonal wire mesh used for fencing, crafting, or as a barrier for small animals or garden protection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The product is identical. Spelling of related terms may differ (e.g., 'fencing' vs. 'wire fencing').
Connotations
Equally neutral and functional in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties due to its practical, non-cultural application.
Grammar
How to Use “chicken wire” in a Sentence
[VERB] + chicken wire (e.g., install, use, cut)[PREP] + chicken wire (e.g., made of, covered in, protected by)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chicken wire” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to chicken-wire the compost bin to keep foxes out.
- He chicken-wired the frame before applying plaster.
American English
- We need to chicken-wire the garden to protect it from rabbits.
- She chicken-wired the sculpture's armature.
adverb
British English
- [Extremely rare as an adverb. Not standard.]
American English
- [Extremely rare as an adverb. Not standard.]
adjective
British English
- It was a chicken-wire barrier, not very secure.
- The chicken-wire construction was temporary.
American English
- It was a chicken-wire fence, easy to install.
- The chicken-wire enclosure kept the chicks safe.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in hardware/agricultural supply contexts.
Academic
Very rare, except in historical/agricultural studies.
Everyday
Common in gardening, DIY, and rural contexts.
Technical
Used in construction, farming, and sculpture for armature.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chicken wire”
- Using 'chicken wire' to refer to welded wire fencing or chain-link fence, which have different patterns and strengths.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its name comes from its common use in poultry fencing, it is widely used in gardening, crafts, and as a light construction material.
Hardware cloth (wire mesh) typically has a square or rectangular grid and is often sturdier. Chicken wire has a characteristic hexagonal (honeycomb) pattern and is more flexible.
Yes, informally, especially in DIY/construction contexts (e.g., 'to chicken-wire something' means to cover or construct with it).
Caution is needed. The wire can have sharp points and the mesh size may be too large, allowing small animals to get stuck or injured.
A type of thin, flexible wire mesh with a hexagonal pattern, used for fencing, especially to enclose poultry.
Chicken wire is usually informal, technical (construction/gardening) in register.
Chicken wire: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪkɪn ˌwaɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪkɪn ˌwaɪr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated. Sometimes used metaphorically for something flimsy or easily penetrated, e.g., 'a defence like chicken wire'.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CHICKEN COOP. The WIRE that makes its walls is CHICKEN WIRE.
Conceptual Metaphor
BARRIER AS FILTER (allows air/light but not passage); WEAKNESS/IMPERMANENCE (compared to stronger materials).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of 'chicken wire'?