fledgling

noun, often attributive fledg·ling \ ˈflej-liŋ \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

Examples: fledgling in a Sentence

Definition of fledgling

1 : a young bird just fledged (see fledge 1)

a female bird feeding her fledglings

2 : an immature or inexperienced person

fledgling medical students

3 : one that is new

a fledgling company

See fledgling defined for English-language learners

See fledgling defined for kids

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 of fledgling from the Web

Feulner packaged his fledgling think tank’s ideology into five basic principles: free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional values and a strong national defense.

— jonathan mahler, New York Times, "How One Conservative Think Tank Is Stocking Trump’s Government," 20 June 2018
Although the fledgling hemp and marijuana industries grew during the relaxed policies of former President Barack Obama’s administration, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has been less welcoming of the cannabis plant.

— Washington Post, "Sen. Mitch McConnell pushes hemp legalization in farm bill," 12 June 2018
Now, his files of material will be part of the National Comedy Center, a fledgling institution scheduled to open in August in Jamestown, N.Y. — Lucille Ball's hometown.

— latimes.com, "Today: What Led to the YouTube Shooting?," 4 Apr. 2018
Chicks, or fledglings, fly from the nest after five to six weeks.

— matt campbell, kansascity, "Cameras capture endangered peregrine falcons perched near the Plaza, other high spots | The Kansas City Star," 28 Mar. 2018
Though seemingly fledgling at the moment, Seton Hall remains a danger to Xavier's title pursuit, Mack said.

— patrick brennan, Cincinnati.com, "No. 4 Xavier basketball continues push for Big East title with Seton Hall visit," 13 Feb. 2018
China's ambitious human space missions get most of the headlines, but its fledgling space science program is quietly gaining strength.

— dennis normile, Science | AAAS, "New China space missions will watch for colliding black holes, solar blasts," 11 July 2018
And Williams started giving back by helping Barnett with his fledgling organization — helping out on the playground in the summer months, helping to get the group situated in its first building, coaching basketball, and, of course mentoring.

— amy schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "In 1980, a 19-year-old helped a Milwaukee kid make better choices. Today, they're still changing lives.," 9 July 2018
Rizzo, of Carpentersville, estimated the Muirhead Springs fledglings were about 24 days old.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "American kestrel falcon fledglings banded at Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve," 29 June 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.

First Known Use of fledgling

1830

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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fledgling Synonyms

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl

FLEDGLING Defined for English Language Learners

fledgling

noun

Definition of fledgling for English Language Learners

: a young bird that has just become able to fly
: someone or something that is getting started in a new activity

FLEDGLING Defined for Kids

fledgling

noun fledg·ling \ ˈflej-liŋ \

Definition of fledgling for Students

: a young bird that has just grown the feathers needed to fly

Learn More about fledgling

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fledgling Spanish Central: Translation of fledgling Nglish: Translation of fledgling for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fledgling for Arabic speakers

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fledgling

Definition of fledgling

Examples of fledgling in a Sentence

Recent Examples of fledgling from the Web

First Known Use of fledgling

fledgling Synonyms

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FLEDGLING Defined for English Language Learners

fledgling

Definition of fledgling for English Language Learners

FLEDGLING Defined for Kids

fledgling

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