hatchling

noun

hatch·​ling ˈhach-liŋ How to pronounce hatchling (audio)
: a recently hatched animal

Examples of hatchling in a Sentence

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.
However, after the March 4 announcement that two of three eggs had hatched, viewers are wondering where the third egg or hatchling is. Angel Saunders, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025 What species of patriotic raptor are Jackie and Shadow, the webcam-famous Big Bear birds who welcomed their first hatchling Monday night? Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025 Turtles likely remember magnetic conditioning for a much longer duration, Goforth noted, since most loggerheads leave their nesting beach as hatchlings and return around 20 years later to lay their first nest. Julianna Bragg, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025 Similarly, the Dallas Zoo recently announced its largest clutch of horned lizard hatchlings to date, adding 18 new babies to its population last week. Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 27 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for hatchling

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hatchling was in 1854

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hatchling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hatchling. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

hatchling

noun
hatch·​ling ˈhach-liŋ How to pronounce hatchling (audio)
: a recently hatched animal
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!