fledged; fledging
of a young bird
: to acquire the feathers necessary for flight or independent activity
also
: to leave the nest after acquiring such feathers
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
After their first egg of 2026 was snatched by Ravens, Jackie laid two more eggs that hatched in April and will likely fledge from the nest in July.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 June 2026
Once the young birds have fledged and the nest has been abandoned, it can usually be removed safely.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 8 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for fledge
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Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 June 2026
Once the young birds have fledged and the nest has been abandoned, it can usually be removed safely.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 8 June 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for fledge
Cite this Entry
“Fledge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fledge. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fledge
verb
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
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