fledgling

noun, often attributive

fledg·ling | \ˈflej-liŋ

Definition of fledgling

1 : a young bird just fledged (see fledge sense 1) a female bird feeding her fledglings

2 : an immature or inexperienced person fledgling medical students

3 : one that is new a fledgling company

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about fledgling

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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

Amazon’s deep corporate pockets will enable the fledgling company to build out its innovation. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Amazon the Rx Disrupter," 29 June 2018 Strongman leaders in the Philippines and Cambodia threaten to unravel fledgling democracies. — Jessica Meyers, latimes.com, "'Jacindamania' sweeps New Zealand as it embraces a new prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, who isn't your average pol," 9 Mar. 2018 The corporate activism is evidence that a fledgling movement to ban plastic straws, which sprang from outrage over plastic’s impact on the environment and animals, continues to stir. — BostonGlobe.com, "Whole Foods to deliver free in two hours to Amazon Prime customers," 12 June 2018 With funding from Getty Oil, the fledgling network purchased the rights to various college sporting events, then the N.F.L. draft. — Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, "Stephen A. Smith Won’t Stop Talking," 16 June 2018 The bad news is fewer fledgling local companies managed to get funded – with one survey showing only 15 firms raising money in the first quarter compared with 34 firms for the same quarter a year ago. — Mike Freeman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Mega-deals drive big gains in venture capital funding for San Diego start-ups," 11 Apr. 2018 Essentially, Hurst says, these tax credits could provide crucial rent assistance for a fledgling business, helping to fill prominent gaps in Main Streets across the state. — Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, "Lawmakers hope tax credits can help fill vacant storefronts," 9 July 2018 Many studied law, engineering and medicine—essential fields in a fledgling nation. — Peter Schwartzstein, Smithsonian, "How Saddam and ISIS Killed Iraqi Science," 30 May 2018 The school closures come nearly two years after Houston ISD saved the fledgling Victory Prep Charter Network from being shut down by the state. — Shelby Webb, Houston Chronicle, "Second Victory Prep charter school to close after running out of money," 2 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fledgling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.