fledgling

noun

fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ 

often attributive

1

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

a bird feeding her fledglings

2

: an immature or inexperienced person

fledgling medical students

3

: one that is new

a fledgling company

Synonyms of fledgling

• novice
• newcomer
• beginner
• apprentice
• freshman
• rookie

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

While most small backyard birds build nests out of reach of dogs, the noise and activity of your family pet playing outside is unnerving for nesting birds, so keep them away until the fledglings leave the nest if possible. —Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 6 June 2026

About 70 percent of bald eagles survive the fledgling stage. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 June 2026

Sarava also backed an accelerator called Avatech, which offered fledgling companies mentorship, workspace, and funding in exchange for a minority stake. —Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026

Keeping pets indoors or supervised during nesting season can also help protect eggs and fledglings. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fledgling

noun

fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ 

1

: a young bird just fledged

2

: an immature or inexperienced person