Chicken/ˈtʃɪkɪn/ Definition 1 of 5Pro Tip 1/2Not Always Food The word 'chicken' can refer to both the animal and the food, depending on context. The chickens in the yard are not for eating. Pro Tip 2/2Living Conditions 'Chicken coop' is where chickens live, important for understanding farm-related discussions. Our chicken coop is home to ten chickens.