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
This honor arrives just three months after the fledgling restaurant earned a Michelin star in the California Michelin Guide.
—
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
The Founders were part-time statesmen whose duty was to put the long-term interests of the fledgling republic ahead of personal interests.
—Les Rubin, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
The fledgling Future Soldier prep course started during Joe Biden's presidency and has played a central role in reversing the recruiting slump.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
The fledgling company’s early output demonstrates its range and festival appeal.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fledgling
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Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
The Founders were part-time statesmen whose duty was to put the long-term interests of the fledgling republic ahead of personal interests.
—Les Rubin, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
The fledgling Future Soldier prep course started during Joe Biden's presidency and has played a central role in reversing the recruiting slump.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
The fledgling company’s early output demonstrates its range and festival appeal.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fledgling
Cite this Entry
“Fledgling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fledgling. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fledgling
noun
fledg·ling
ˈflej-liŋ 
1
: a young bird just fledged
2
: an immature or inexperienced person
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