hatchling

American  

[hach-ling] / ˈhætʃ lɪŋ /

noun

1. a young bird, reptile, or fish recently emerged from an egg.

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hatchling British  

/ ˈhætʃlɪŋ /

noun

1. a young animal that has newly emerged from an egg

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Etymology

Origin of hatchling

First recorded in 1895–1900; hatch ¹ + -ling ¹

Example Sentences

Although some species likely guarded nests or protected hatchlings briefly, young dinosaurs became independent relatively quickly.

From Science Daily

Back at the beach, the sea lions were honking and restless, and Fred’s friends were zipping over the rocks, even the oldest scuttling like hatchlings.

From Literature

Jackie, the hatchling from 2011, is now the star of a 24-hour webcam that monitors her and her partner, Shadow, 145 feet up in a Jeffrey pine overlooking Big Bear Lake.

From Los Angeles Times

Every now and then a kite would swoop down over the waterfowls’ nests, causing a commotion as the parents tried to protect their hatchlings.

From Literature

Tragically, one hatchling died during heavy snowfall, but two — dubbed Sunny and Gizmo — survived the harsh season, spread their wings and flew away.

From Los Angeles Times