duckling

noun

duck·​ling ˈdək-liŋ How to pronounce duckling (audio)
ˈdə-kliŋ
: a young duck

Examples of duckling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ricki Wilde, the odd duckling of a prosperous Black Atlanta family, goes north to open a florist in Harlem and meets the love of her life — an enigmatic musician who came of age in the 1920s — in a community garden. Carole V. Bell, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024 In this particular matchup, however, Travis is correcting previous human interference: the presence of the muscovy ducks and their ducklings in the first place. Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 28 Feb. 2024 Experts say that most ducklings sold at Easter are drakes, so parents hoping for fresh eggs are out of luck. Sue Manning, Kansas City Star, 1 Feb. 2024 Parker does well as Doris, the hardly ugly but uncertain duckling that takes a seat in the back row in class and stays mum. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 25 Jan. 2024 Mack is an overprotective parent, terrified of something happening to his ducklings in a world full of predators. Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 22 Dec. 2023 Having just emerged into the frozen world, the ducklings huddled together as their mother prompted them to move toward open water. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Jan. 2024 Mack and Pam Mallard (voice of Kumail Nanjiani and Elizabeth Banks) are ducks raising two ducklings, Dax and Gwen (Caspar Jennings and Tresi Gazal), in the little haven of Moosehead Lake. Kristen Page-Kirby, Washington Post, 20 Dec. 2023 The couple decided to hand-rear the helpless duckling and named her Freda. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 25 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'duckling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of duckling was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near duckling

Cite this Entry

“Duckling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duckling. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

duckling

noun
duck·​ling ˈdək-liŋ How to pronounce duckling (audio)
: a young duck

More from Merriam-Webster on duckling

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