1. (of a young bird) to grow feathers and become able to fly
2. to help (a young bird) develop feathers and the ability to fly
3. to equip (an arrow) with feathers
Usage: archaic

Examples

• The baby eagles will fledge in about three months.
• Young robins fledge before they are fully independent of their parents.
• The mother bird fledges her chicks by teaching them to fly.
• Archers fledge their arrows with goose feathers for better flight.
• Once the nestlings fledge, they leave the nest to explore their surroundings.
• The chicks are beginning to fledge as their wing feathers grow in.