broiler
BROY-ler
/ˈbrɔɪlər/
A young chicken raised specifically for meat production.
Unlike layers or dual-purpose breeds, a broiler is bred and fed for rapid growth and high muscle yield, typically processed at a young age.
The story behind the word. The word traces back to the Old French 'bruillier', meaning to roast or boil. In early 20th-century American agriculture, the term was adopted to describe young chickens whose tender meat was ideal for quick cooking on a gridiron or broiler.
Word relationships
- fryer: A fryer is technically a slightly smaller, younger broiler, though the terms are often used interchangeably in commercial markets.
- meat chicken: Meat chicken is a general descriptive term, whereas broiler is the precise industry standard.
- layer: A layer is a chicken bred and kept specifically for egg production rather than meat.
Commonly confused with
- roaster: A roaster is a larger, older chicken raised for meat, whereas a broiler is younger and smaller.
Word family
- broil (verb): To cook by direct exposure to radiant heat.
Collocations
- broiler industry
- broiler house
- broiler chicken
- broiler production
Example sentences
- "The farm transitioned its operations to focus entirely on broiler production to meet the rising demand for poultry meat." Agricultural report on meat production efficiency.
- "Specialized feed formulations are required to support the rapid skeletal development of the modern broiler." Scientific study on avian nutrition.
Memory hook
Think of a broiler chicken as one destined for the kitchen broiler oven. Broilers go to the broiler.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a chicken kept primarily for laying eggs, or a mature rooster.
Fun facts
- Modern broilers reach market weight in just six to eight weeks, thanks to decades of selective breeding and optimized nutrition.
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.