1. A young bird that has recently grown its feathers and is learning to fly.
2. A person who is new to an activity or field and still learning.
Usage: figurative

1. New, inexperienced, or in an early stage of development.

Examples

• The fledgling fell from the nest but was able to hop back to safety.
• As a fledgling writer, she submitted her first story to a local magazine.
• The fledgling company started in a garage and grew into a major corporation.
• The young eagles are fledglings now and will soon leave the nest.
• He was a fledgling musician when he first joined the orchestra.
• Several fledgling startups competed in the technology pitch competition.