nestling

[ nest-ling, nes-ling ]

/ ˈnɛst lɪŋ, ˈnɛs lɪŋ /

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See synonyms for: nestling / nestlings on Thesaurus.com

noun

a young bird not yet old enough to leave the nest.

a young child or infant.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of nestling

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English; see origin at nest, -ling¹

Words nearby nestling

nested, nest egg, nesting, nesting table, nestle, nestling, nest of drawers, Nestor, Nestorian, Nestorianism, Nestorius

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use nestling in a sentence

My Lovely Wife and I missed the moment the nestlings turned into fledglings, that instant when they parachute from the bird box.
On the house: Wrens are nesting in my backyard bird box. I couldn’t be happier.|John Kelly|July 7, 2021|Washington Post
William did so like a true professional, nestling the mercifully quiet baby comfortably in the crook of his arm.
Is Kate Pregnant? William and Kate Amp Up the Baby Speculation|Tom Sykes|April 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Lay the baccalà chunks on top of the caramelized onions, nestling in all the chunks in one layer.
Salt Cod, Scampi, Filet of Grouper|The Daily Beast|December 23, 2008|DAILY BEAST
"Yes—no," she answered, nestling so close to him that the rose in her dress was loosened and fell to the ground.
The Cromptons|Mary J. Holmes

Directly at the foot of a steep hill we came upon the meeting-house, nestling in a wooded valley.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car|Thomas D. Murphy
Away in the distance they could see the mansion nestling amidst giant trees centuries old.
The Everlasting Arms|Joseph Hocking
At the top of the rise they saw their camp nestling beside the little creek in the valley.
The Adventure Girls at K Bar O|Clair Blank
Then comes Dinant, nestling on the right bank of the river, below the fortress which rises on the steep hillside.
Belgium|George W. T. (George William Thomson) Omond

British Dictionary definitions for nestling

nestling

/ (ˈnɛstlɪŋ, ˈnɛslɪŋ) /

noun

a young bird not yet fledged
(as modifier)a nestling thrush

any young person or animal

Word Origin for nestling

C14: from nest + -ling 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

nestling

Origin of nestling

Words nearby nestling

Words related to nestling

How to use nestling in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nestling

Word Origin for nestling