fledge

verb

ˈflej 

fledged; fledging

intransitive verb

of a young bird : to acquire the feathers necessary for flight or independent activity

also : to leave the nest after acquiring such feathers

transitive verb

1

: to rear until ready for flight or independent activity

2

: to cover with or as if with feathers or down

3

: to furnish (something) with feathers

feather an arrow

Examples of fledge in a Sentence

The young birds haven't yet fledged.

Recent Examples on the Web

His first few months in the military resonate with any fledging young person seeking a loving home. —Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

If her second chick makes it through the summer, that means 86 percent of Fe’s offspring will have fledged successfully. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024

His expertise will be needed as the fledging league looks to offer events across the globe. —Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 25 July 2024

In 1927, slogans were written on kites deriding the Simon Commission, a group appointed by the British Conservative Government to report on the workings of the fledging Indian constitution. —Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 4 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

fledge capable of flying, from Middle English flegge, from Old English -flycge; akin to Old High German flucki capable of flying, Old English flēogan to fly — more at fly

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

fledge

verb

ˈflej 

fledged; fledging

1

: to develop the feathers necessary for flying

also : to leave the nest after developing such feathers

2

: to provide with feathers

fledge an arrow