fledgling

noun

fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ How to pronounce fledgling (audio)
Synonyms of fledgling
1
: a young bird just fledged (see fledge sense 1)
a bird feeding her fledglings
2
: an immature or inexperienced person
—often used before another noun
fledgling medical students
3
: one that is new
—often used before another noun
a fledgling company

Synonyms of 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My grandfather, then a senator in the fledgling Chinese Republic, named his son Jialu; British classmates at the Shanghai Public School pronounced the boy Morris. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 If Putin rejects the framework — or, more likely, demands unreasonable changes — then the world will at least know who blocked the fledgling peace effort. — David Ignatius, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026 Director Robert Eggers delivers a taut, terrifying period piece with this tale of a 17th-century New England family expelled from their village and stalked by a witch — a movie that also put the then-fledgling studio A24 on the map. — David Faris, TheWeek, 20 Oct. 2026 There are believed to be two adult owls, and some photographers have claimed to have seen six fledglings, Barrett added. — Joseph Frederick, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fledgling

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fledgling was in 1830

Browse Nearby Words

fledgeless
fledgling
fledgy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fledgling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fledgling. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fledgling

noun
fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ How to pronounce fledgling (audio)
1
: a young bird just fledged
2
: an immature or inexperienced person
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