fledgling

noun

fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ How to pronounce fledgling (audio)
Synonyms of fledglingnext
often attributive
1
: a young bird just fledged (see fledge sense 1)
a bird feeding her fledglings
2
: an immature or inexperienced person
fledgling medical students
3
: one that is new
a fledgling company

Examples of fledgling in a Sentence

a female bird feeding her fledglings at hockey he's still a fledgling and needs to work on his basic skating skills
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lebanon truce threatened ahead of talks Multiple attacks undermined a fledgling ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon ahead of negotiations between the two countries in Washington today. Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026 Acquired by the fledgling CBS Radio Network in 1931, WBBM was integral to the development of a national news platform that predated and survived the advent of television. Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026 The fledgling distributor had shown the wherewithal to turn around acquisitions into splashy releases in a short time. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026 The video also advises residents not to approach or touch owl fledglings and to keep pets and children away to avoid stressing the bird. Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fledgling

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fledgling was in 1830

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fledgling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fledgling. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

fledgling

noun
fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ How to pronounce fledgling (audio)
1
: a young bird just fledged
2
: an immature or inexperienced person

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