fledgling

noun

fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ 

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

Synonyms of fledgling

• novice
• newcomer
• beginner
• apprentice
• freshman
• rookie

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

Other sports, including hockey, volleyball, baseball, and, yes, football, have one or multiple fledgling women’s leagues attempting to catch on. —Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026

People were encouraged to show up and demonstrate their support for a women’s expansion franchise under the auspices of the fledgling organizing group, For Denver FC. —Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 2026

But when Micron’s founders moved their fledgling company into that dentist’s office basement in 1978, Boise was hardly a tech hub. —Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026

When Yoder started at DERM in 1977, the fledgling department had 75 employees. —Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fledgling

noun

fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ 

1

: a young bird just fledged

2

: an immature or inexperienced person