hatchling

noun

hatch·​ling ˈhach-liŋ 

: a recently hatched animal

Examples of hatchling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These hatchlings, which can easily fit in the palm of a hand, are packaged in individual Tupperware containers and then released in the desert scrub. — Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2026

After chipping their way through their shells, sea turtle hatchlings in the wild typically remain clustered together beneath the sand until nighttime, when temperatures and predation risk drop. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

The male of the species remains alone with the eggs and fights off predators until his body gives out, at which point his flesh becomes the hatchlings’ first food. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026

Also, invasive rats and cats continue to prey on vulnerable tortoise eggs and hatchlings. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hatchling

noun

hatch·​ling ˈhach-liŋ 

: a recently hatched animal