prairie chicken

[ prair-ee chik-uhn ]

noun

1. either of two North American gallinaceous birds of western prairies, Tympanuchus cupido greater prairie chicken, or T. pallidicinctus lesser prairie chicken, having brown, black, white, and rufous plumage: both species, once abundant, have diminished greatly in number and are classified as vulnerable.
2. sharp-tailed grouse.

prairie chicken

noun

1. either of two mottled brown-and-white grouse, Tympanuchus cupido or T. pallidicinctus, of North America

Word History and Origins

Origin of prairie chicken¹

An Americanism dating back to 1685–95

Example Sentences

Wild turkeys and prairie-chicken tasted much better than bacon, Polly said, and she learned to cook them herself.

From Project Gutenberg

Right in the height of the prairie chicken season too, and those other fellows, three of them, off bagging every bit of the game!

From Project Gutenberg

That evening we dined with the prairie chicken, or rather, she invited herself to dine with us.

From Project Gutenberg

There, under a turquoise toque, sat the golden hair and the large face of the prairie chicken.

From Project Gutenberg

Would you treat prairie chicken, grouse or partridge in this way?

From Project Gutenberg