fledgling

noun

fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ How to pronounce fledgling (audio)
often attributive
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

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.
The 57-year-old Chicago resident, founder of the People's Union USA, the fledgling advocacy group leading the campaign, expresses surprise at suddenly finding himself and his movement in the spotlight. Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025 More than a few automakers have gone bust trying to make the best luxury car in the world, but almost as often the industry has seen fledgling manufacturers finally grow up, like when Toyota launched Lexus or when BMW introduced the 7 Series. Raphael Orlove, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025 The fledgling Unified Human Foods Program was created in the wake of high-profile safety failures, including the baby formula crisis, and was the agency's key resource on improving food safety as well as nutrition policy. Tina Reed, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025 Nikola is one of several fledgling electric vehicle companies that have struggled to turn their ideas into actual cars and trucks. Neal E. Boudette, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Fledgling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fledgling. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on fledgling

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