hatchling

noun

hatch·​ling ˈhach-liŋ 

: a recently hatched animal

Examples of hatchling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Perhaps the most sickening part of the entire encounter is that both Oleynik and Kravchenko are seen holding the turtle's hatchlings, posing for photos and smiling as if everything is cool. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Some delightful animatronics show the movements of Colorado creatures like a swimming mosasaur and hatchlings in an Edmontosaurus nest. — Kristen Kidd, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2026

Gharials are notoriously difficult to breed, and Fort Worth zookeepers spent more than a decade manipulating environmental conditions before the first four hatchlings made their appearance in 2023. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hatchling

noun

hatch·​ling ˈhach-liŋ 

: a recently hatched animal