mother hen


noun
  1. a person who attends to the welfare of others, especially one who is fussily protective.

Origin of mother hen

1
First recorded in 1950–55

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use mother hen in a sentence

  • But the mother hen determined, 'a la General Grant,' to set it out on this nest 'if it took all summer!'

    The Flag Replaced on Sumter | William A. Spicer
  • I have neglected to tell you that the mother hen is black, and struts with pompous pride above her white and octoroon subjects.

    The Flag Replaced on Sumter | William A. Spicer
  • Instead they obey the clucking of the mother hen, and "tweet" disdainfully at their haughty sire.

  • Toots' mamma sat by his side with a huge basket in her lap containing a fine old mother hen with ten little chicks.

    Toots and his Friends | Kate Tannatt Woods
  • Two players are chosen—one to be the mother hen and the other to be the fox, who is after a chicken for his meal.