Illustration of manatee
manatee
noun
man·a·tee
ˈma-nə-ˌtē 
: any of a genus (Trichechus of the family Trichechidae) of large, herbivorous, aquatic mammals that inhabit warm coastal and inland waters of the southeastern U.S., West Indies, northern South America, and West Africa and have a rounded body, a small head with a squarish snout, paddle-shaped flippers usually with vestigial nails, and a flattened, rounded tail used for propulsion
Note: Manatees are sirenians related to and resembling the dugong but differing most notably in the shape of the tail.
An aquatic relative of the elephant, manatees grow up to nine feet long and can weigh 1,000 pounds.—
Felicity Barringer
Felicity Barringer
Examples of manatee in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In Central Florida, the most popular of these is Blue Spring State Park, a wintertime haven for manatees and a summertime oasis for tourists and locals alike.
—Patrick Connolly, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
Gulley’s experience with manatees led him to a new statewide photographic project that combined his scientific and visual background to show the impacts of stormwater visually.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
Beyond The Sea While manatees hang out in the water and white pelicans circle above—and sport-fishing, kayaking, or boating or sailing to Cayo Costa State Park beckon—visitors and locals flock to the main village of Boca Grande for dining and shopping.
—Mary Forgione, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Nature trails, a 400-foot-long boardwalk, a fishing pier, and an observation tower (perfect for spotting manatees in the water below) are all part of the fun.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2025
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Patrick Connolly, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
Gulley’s experience with manatees led him to a new statewide photographic project that combined his scientific and visual background to show the impacts of stormwater visually.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025
Beyond The Sea While manatees hang out in the water and white pelicans circle above—and sport-fishing, kayaking, or boating or sailing to Cayo Costa State Park beckon—visitors and locals flock to the main village of Boca Grande for dining and shopping.
—Mary Forgione, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Nature trails, a 400-foot-long boardwalk, a fishing pier, and an observation tower (perfect for spotting manatees in the water below) are all part of the fun.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manatee
Cite this Entry
“Manatee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manatee. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
manatee
noun
man·a·tee
ˈman-ə-ˌtē
: any of several chiefly tropical water-dwelling mammals that eat plants and differ from the related dugong especially in having the tail broad and rounded
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