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
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The Tennessee Aquarium is home to 10,000 animals representing over 800 species of marine life, including green sea turtles, pufferfish, and penguins. Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2024 When a lone sea turtle washed up in a ditch in a Weekie Watchee neighborhood after Hurricane Helene, The Florida Aquarium stepped in to help. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2024 Meanwhile, in the town of Apollo Beach, scientists and veterinarians have been scrambling to save thousands of at-risk coral, plus a single sea turtle already displaced once by extreme weather, and now at risk again. Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Oct. 2024 Green sea turtles can be found worldwide, nesting in more than 80 countries and swimming in the coastal areas of more than 140 countries. Samuel Sanders, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sea turtle 

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 17 Nov. 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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