fledgling

noun

fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ 

1

: a young bird just fledged (see fledge sense 1)

a bird feeding her fledglings

2

: an immature or inexperienced person

—often used before another noun

fledgling medical students

3

: one that is new

—often used before another noun

a fledgling company

Synonyms of fledgling

• novice
• newcomer
• beginner
• apprentice
• freshman
• rookie

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

The stables, or caballeriza, meanwhile, are a more modern, minimalist affair than the main house, with a handful of private gardens shrouded behind fresh, fledgling hedgerows and gray subway-style bathroom tiles. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Because Fox was still a fledgling network with less distribution and smaller audiences, the ratings plunged. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

Televangelist Pat Robertson, who had a fledgling TV station in Portsmouth, Virginia, asked Bakker to bring the show to television. — Ronnie Glassberg, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

By the end of Volume I, the court romance has devolved into a series of infidelities, both personal and political, which cause the corruption and destabilization of England’s fledgling democracy. — Eileen Hunt, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fledgling

noun

fledg·​ling ˈflej-liŋ 

1

: a young bird just fledged

2

: an immature or inexperienced person