Definition of fledge
fledged
;fledging
intransitive verb
of a young bird : to acquire the feathers necessary for flight or independent activity; also : to leave the nest after acquiring such feathers
transitive verb
1 : to rear until ready for flight or independent activity
2 : to cover with or as if with feathers or down
3 : to furnish (something) with feathers feather an arrow
Explore Merriam-Webster
Examples of fledge in a Sentence
The young birds haven't yet fledged.
Recent Examples of fledge from the Web
-
Semel worked with the city of Waukegan to place ropes and signs around the nesting site to keep humans away so the young can hatch and fledge.
-
Fortunately for those who don’t want their cellphone to be a full-fledged computer, the major cell providers offer basic cellphones, too.
-
The ecommerce giant has long been working on its Prime Air flying machine, though strict regulations governing the commercial use of such contraptions means that a full-fledged, drone delivery service is still a ways off.
-
A video shows Spirit fledging the nest from an oak tree.
-
The parents accepted the new accommodations, continued feeding and protecting the chicks, and seem well on their way to fledging two green herons in a month or so.
-
Baidoa itself is controlled by Somalia’s fledging government and African Union troops.
-
After the babies fledge, the pair sometimes return later to raise a second brood in the same nest.
-
While outsized venues typically demand outsized names, Levitt’s meat and potatoes will be fledging artists from the local and national music scene who can handle the expectant pressure of a huge, headlining set.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fledge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of fledge
fledge capable of flying, from Middle English flegge, from Old English -flycge; akin to Old High German flucki capable of flying, Old English flēogan to fly — more at fly
FLEDGE Defined for English Language Learners
fledge
playDefinition of fledge for English Language Learners
-
of a bird : to develop the feathers necessary for flying
Learn More about fledge
-
See words that rhyme with fledge Nglish: Translation of fledge for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fledge for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up fledge? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!