plural turtles also turtle
often attributive
: any of an order (Testudines synonym Chelonia) of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine reptiles that have a toothless horny beak and a shell of bony dermal plates usually covered with horny shields enclosing the trunk and into which the head, limbs, and tail usually may be withdrawn
archaic
Examples of turtle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
Villa Avellana Who Stays There: Tech entrepreneurs, bank CEOs, music producers, and entertainers
The Property: A modern, teak-and-glass villa on a secluded cove with red land crabs, white egrets, and turtle nests.
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024
Nine years after publicly stepping out together for the first time during Halloween week, the happy couple — who married in July 2021 — dressed up again for 2024, Stefani, 55, going as Snow White, while Shelton, 48, opted for a turtle costume.
—Lindsay Kimble, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
The resort itself is shaped like a turtle, the unofficial state animal and a symbol of strength and resilience.
—Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for turtle 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The endangered turtle was hypothermic and lethargic, stunned by the chilly waters of Pedder Bay.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
Villa Avellana Who Stays There: Tech entrepreneurs, bank CEOs, music producers, and entertainers
The Property: A modern, teak-and-glass villa on a secluded cove with red land crabs, white egrets, and turtle nests.
—Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024
Nine years after publicly stepping out together for the first time during Halloween week, the happy couple — who married in July 2021 — dressed up again for 2024, Stefani, 55, going as Snow White, while Shelton, 48, opted for a turtle costume.
—Lindsay Kimble, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
The resort itself is shaped like a turtle, the unofficial state animal and a symbol of strength and resilience.
—Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for turtle
Dictionary Entries Near turtle
Cite this Entry
“Turtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turtle. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
turtle
1 of 2 noun
tur·tle
ˈtərt-ᵊl 
archaic
turtle
2 of 2 noun
plural turtles also turtle
: any of an order of land, freshwater, and marine reptiles with a toothless horny beak and a bony shell which encloses the body and into which the head, legs, and tail usually may be withdrawn
Etymology
Noun
Old English turtla "turtledove," from Latin turtur (same meaning)
Noun
derived from French tortue "tortoise, turtle," from Latin tartaruchus "of Tartarus (part of Hades reserved for the wicked)," from Greek tartarouchos (same meaning)
Medical Definition
turtle
noun
tur·tle
ˈtərt-ᵊl
plural turtles also turtle
often attributive
: any of an order (Testudines) of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine reptiles that have a toothless horny beak and a shell of bony dermal plates usually covered with horny shields enclosing the trunk and into which the head, limbs, and tail usually may be withdrawn
called also chelonian
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share