hen run: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, rural/agricultural. Metaphorical use is colloquial/humorous.
Quick answer
What does “hen run” mean?
A fenced outdoor area where hens are allowed to move freely while being protected from predators.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fenced outdoor area where hens are allowed to move freely while being protected from predators.
The enclosed space where poultry is kept; metaphorically, any busy, confined space with a lot of female-focused activity (colloquial).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is common in both varieties for the literal meaning. American English might also use 'chicken run' or 'hen yard' more frequently.
Connotations
In BrE, the metaphorical use ('like a hen run') to describe a noisy, gossipy, or exclusively female social environment is slightly more established.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse but higher in rural/agricultural contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hen run” in a Sentence
The hen run is [adjective: secure, full, muddy].They keep their hens in a [modifier: fenced, spacious] hen run.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; potentially in agribusiness or farm supply retail.
Academic
Rare; used in agricultural studies or animal husbandry papers.
Everyday
Used by people who keep chickens as a hobby or on smallholdings. Metaphorical use in informal conversation.
Technical
Used in poultry farming to describe a specific type of housing system.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hen run”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hen run”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hen run”
- Confusing 'hen run' with 'hen house' or 'coop' (the latter is the sheltered sleeping/laying area).
- Using 'hen run' as a verb (e.g., 'The hens hen run').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A coop is the sheltered house where hens sleep and lay eggs. A hen run is the attached, fenced outdoor area where they can exercise and forage.
Yes, informally. It can humorously describe a place or situation dominated by noisy, busy, or gossipy activity, often among women.
It's not a high-frequency word in cities, but it is standard and common in rural areas, among gardeners, and in contexts related to small-scale poultry keeping.
'Free range' typically means hens have unrestricted access to a very large open area. A 'hen run' is a specific, enclosed space, which offers more protection but less freedom than true free range.
A fenced outdoor area where hens are allowed to move freely while being protected from predators.
Hen run is usually informal, rural/agricultural. metaphorical use is colloquial/humorous. in register.
Hen run: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhen ˌrʌn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛn ˌrʌn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Run around like a headless chicken in a hen run. (humorous intensification)”
- “It's like a hen run in here. (metaphorical for chaotic, female-dominated chatter)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HEN RUNning safely inside its fenced area.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT IS AN ENCLOSURE; SOCIAL CHAOS IS A POULTRY PEN.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a hen run?