chicken wire
Definition
Noun: A light, flexible wire netting with a hexagonal mesh pattern, typically made from galvanized steel. It is primarily used for constructing inexpensive fences, enclosures, or barriers, especially for poultry, but also for gardening, light construction, and crafts.
Usage
"Chicken wire" is used as a non-count noun. It refers to the material itself, not a single piece or section, though you can refer to "a roll of chicken wire" or "some chicken wire."
Examples
- We used chicken wire to build a small pen for the new chicks.
- The gardener laid chicken wire under the soil to protect the bulbs from gophers.
- You'll need a pair of heavy-duty gloves to handle that chicken wire safely.
- She shaped the chicken wire into an armature for her sculpture.
Advanced Usage
- Metaphorical Use: Informally, "chicken wire" can refer to any barrier or obstacle that is flimsy, full of holes, or easily bypassed.
- Their security protocol is about as effective as chicken wire.
Variants and Related Words
- Poultry netting: A more formal or technical term for the same material.
- Hex netting / Hexagonal mesh: Describes the shape of the openings without specifying the material's common use.
- Wire mesh: A general term for any network of interwoven wire, which includes chicken wire as one type.
Synonyms
- Wire netting
- Poultry fencing
Antonyms
- Solid wall
- Privacy fence
- Stone barrier
Related Phrases & Idioms
- (As) strong as chicken wire: A sarcastic idiom meaning very weak or ineffective.
- His argument was about as strong as chicken wire.
Noun
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a galvanized wire network with a hexagonal mesh; used to build fences
