sea turtle

noun

: any of two families (Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae) of widely distributed marine turtles that have the feet modified into paddles and that include the green turtle, leatherback, hawksbill, loggerhead, and ridley

Examples of sea turtle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Sherbro Island is known for its pristine beaches that are a nesting ground for green sea turtles. Nell Lewis, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 The size of sea turtles varies dramatically across species. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024 From April to August, keep an eye out for nesting sea turtles. Pam Leblanc, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2024 Established in 1887, the property’s towering seaside cliffs are perfect for early morning birdwatching, while anyone wishing to snorkel alongside native sea turtles are welcome to set up a catamaran cruise with the on-property concierge. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 Along beachfronts, bright streetlamps have been replaced with dimmer red lights to help baby sea turtles reach the sea. Carley Thornell, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2024 Teeming with wildlife, including colorful coral, a kaleidoscope of fish, sea turtles, and sharks, the reef system is one of the star attractions in Cozumel and diving is a top priority for visitors. Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2024 South Padre Island has sand dunes, sea turtles, and even surfing. Pam Leblanc, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2024 Olvera, who is wearing a necklace with a silver sea turtle, his favorite animal, lived here before buying the property next door and converting both homes into this 17-room hotel that’s filled with thousands of Maná’s stories. Leila Cobo, Billboard, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sea turtle.' 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

1612, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sea turtle was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near sea turtle

Cite this Entry

“Sea turtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea%20turtle. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sea turtle

noun
: any of various large marine turtles (as the green turtle or the loggerhead) that have paddle-shaped feet to aid in swimming

More from Merriam-Webster on sea turtle

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