What does poule mean?
A poule is a young chicken, particularly a pullet. In ordinary contemporary English, the everyday word is pullet, which usually refers to a young female chicken intended for the table. Poule is much rarer and has a noticeably old-fashioned or elevated tone, partly because it comes directly from French and is encountered especially in heraldic descriptions of animals appearing on shields, crests, and coats of arms. A writer might therefore describe a heraldic bird as a poule rather than simply a chicken. The word can also appear in literary or historical prose when discussing poultry, cooking, or country life. Although French poule ordinarily means “hen,” the established English sense is narrower, emphasizing a young bird. Its unusual form and specific use make it more memorable than the common synonym pullet, but in neutral modern prose pullet is normally the more precise and accessible choice.
nounA pullet, especially a young chicken or hen. The word is uncommon and is particularly associated with heraldic descriptions.
- A young chicken or pullet, especially when used in heraldry.
"The shield bears a silver poule upon a field of green."
"The cook prepared a tender poule with herbs and root vegetables."
"A golden poule forms the central charge on the family crest."
Used in formal or literary English, particularly in heraldic descriptions.
"Two poulles flank the central shield."
Think of French poule as “hen”; in English, it points specifically to a young chicken.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does poule come from?
The English word was borrowed from French poule, meaning “hen” or “chicken.” French in turn derived it from Medieval Latin pulla, a feminine form associated with pullus, meaning a young animal. The same Latin family also produced Middle English pullet and Old French poult, later English poult, explaining their close relationship in both meaning and pronunciation.
Related word forms
How poule is actually used
An uncommon and somewhat literary word. It is especially familiar from heraldic descriptions, where a young chicken may be depicted as a charge.
Easily confused with poule
A pullet is the ordinary English term for a young female chicken, while poule is a rarer French-derived term used especially in heraldic and literary contexts.