box turtle

noun

1

: any of several North American land turtles (genus Terrapene) capable of withdrawing into their shell and closing it by hinged joints in the lower half

called also box tortoise

2

: any of several chiefly semiaquatic, Asian turtles (genera Cuora and Pyxidea of the family Geoemydidae) that have a carapace with a median keel and are capable of withdrawing into their shell and closing it by hinged joints in the plastron

Note: The Asian box turtles are not closely related to the North American box turtles.

Illustration of box turtle

Examples of box turtle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The agents searched her heavy duffle bag and found 29 live eastern box turtles individually wrapped in socks, the affidavit states. —CBS News, 12 Oct. 2024

Eastern box turtles are known to be sold on the Chinese black market for $1,000 each, the affidavit stated. —CBS News, 12 Oct. 2024

This can include snakes, salamanders, box turtles, toads and rodents. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 6 Oct. 2024

Birds, box turtles, salamanders, toads, frogs, and scores of beloved invertebrates such as fireflies, bees, butterflies, and moths, all rely on leaf litter for shelter. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

box turtle

noun

: any of several North American land turtles able to withdraw completely into the shell and to close it by hinged joints in the lower shell