Illustration of hawksbill turtle
hawksbill turtle
noun
hawks·bill turtle
ˈhȯks-ˌbil- 
variants
or hawksbill
: a small- to medium-sized sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) of warm waters that has a narrow hawk-like beak, an upper shell of overlapping horny plates, and usually two claws on each forelimb
Note: The hawksbill turtle feeds chiefly on sponges. Its mottled brownish upper shell was used especially formerly to produce tortoiseshell.
Examples of hawksbill turtle in a Sentence
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Zigzagging rooftops nod to hawksbill turtle shells, and the beach house–style interiors have beds fringed by gauzy drapes bound with sisal rope and breezy bathrooms with terrazzo floors made from shell splinters and mother-of-pearl.
—
Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 3 Apr. 2025
Snorkel or scuba dive along the pristine reef to encounter 165 endemic fish species, playful dolphins, graceful hawksbill turtles and majestic stingrays.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Seven species of sea turtles — including loggerhead, green, and hawksbill turtles — nest and hatch on the powder-fine sands of Longboat Key from May through October.
—Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2025
Head to Pink Beach to swim with rays, schools of groupers, and hawksbill turtles in the undersea garden that grows there.
—Melissa Locker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
In 2022, the group launched its See Shell App, which helps shoppers identify and avoid souvenirs made from the shells of the hawksbill turtle, an endangered species.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024
The customs line was packed with middle-aged Americans sharing tips about the island’s best dive sites and where to spot six-foot manta rays, hawksbill turtles, and seahorses.
—Nora Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2024
Several green and hawksbill turtles are darting in and out of a vibrant coral cliff with seemingly millions of species, from sculpins to sun coral and everything in between.
—Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2024
In September, divers may see the green and hawksbill turtles.
—Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
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Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 3 Apr. 2025
Snorkel or scuba dive along the pristine reef to encounter 165 endemic fish species, playful dolphins, graceful hawksbill turtles and majestic stingrays.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Seven species of sea turtles — including loggerhead, green, and hawksbill turtles — nest and hatch on the powder-fine sands of Longboat Key from May through October.
—Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2025
Head to Pink Beach to swim with rays, schools of groupers, and hawksbill turtles in the undersea garden that grows there.
—Melissa Locker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
In 2022, the group launched its See Shell App, which helps shoppers identify and avoid souvenirs made from the shells of the hawksbill turtle, an endangered species.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024
The customs line was packed with middle-aged Americans sharing tips about the island’s best dive sites and where to spot six-foot manta rays, hawksbill turtles, and seahorses.
—Nora Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2024
Several green and hawksbill turtles are darting in and out of a vibrant coral cliff with seemingly millions of species, from sculpins to sun coral and everything in between.
—Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2024
In September, divers may see the green and hawksbill turtles.
—Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Hawksbill turtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hawksbill%20turtle. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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