snapping turtle

noun

: either of two large American freshwater turtles (family Chelydridae) with a large head, powerful jaws, a long tail, and a strong musky odor:

a

: one (Chelydra serpentina) that has the head covered with smooth skin, has large plates in a double row on the underside of the tail, and is distributed from eastern Canada to Central America

b

: alligator snapping turtle

Illustration of snapping turtle

• snapping turtle a

Examples of snapping turtle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The etchings reflect the 13-month lunar calendars the tribes used, with a different design on each of the 13 scales on a snapping turtle’s back. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025

Anchored to what is called a seawall, a wetland ecosystem for a diverse range of wildlife — including beavers, muskrats, snapping turtles and all types of insects, bats, and fish — has been created by mostly volunteers. —Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025

Texas alligator lizard Almost as scary-looking as the giant alligator gar and snapping turtle, the alligator lizard has a strong resemblance to a mini alligator. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 6 June 2024

Fatty was coincidentally discussing how snapping turtles bite when the one in his hand lunged with amazing speed and clamped down on his index finger. —Mark Price, Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for snapping turtle

• infertile
• fertile
• hurtle
• kirtle
• myrtle

Kids Definition

snapping turtle

noun

: either of two large American freshwater turtles that have a large head, powerful jaws, and a long tail