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

fledge an arrow

Examples of fledge in a Sentence

The young birds haven't yet fledged.

Recent Examples on the Web

From Passion To Business This year’s list also highlights up-and-coming culinary entrepreneurs from the region, who are turning their passion for cooking into fledging businesses. —Rana Wehbe Watson, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

There is something to be said for the clean and touch-friendly iPadOS, but for its more robust and fully fledged OS in a tablet form factor, the edge goes to the Surface Pro for Business and Windows 11. —Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 23 May 2026

The chicks will fledge in two to four weeks, depending on the species. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 May 2026

Vixen met an adult male peregrine named Dave, who was fledged from a nest in Chicago in 2020, and went on to lay four eggs that would hatch into the baby falcons, the news release said. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026

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

Rhymes for fledge

• dredge
• edge
• hedge
• ledge
• pledge
• sedge
• sledge
• wedge
• allege
• straightedge

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