tortoise

noun

tor·​toise ˈtȯr-təs 

1

: any of a family (Testudinidae) of terrestrial turtles

broadly : turtle

2

: someone or something regarded as slow or laggard

Examples of tortoise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His species' size is surpassed only by two types of island tortoises, one of which Charles Darwin famously rode while on the Galapagos. —Alina Hartounian, NPR, 14 Jan. 2025

The 360-acre preserve adjacent to the LEC and Deltona Regional Library is home to a variety of wildlife, including Florida scrub jays and gopher tortoises, which are drawn to the low vegetation and sandy ridges of the scrub habitat. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025

There are many different types of tortoises, all growing popular in recent years. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

The area is also an important habitat for scrub jays, wading birds, burrowing owls, raccoons, opossums, rabbits and gopher tortoises. —Noël Fletcher, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tortu, tortuse, from Anglo-French tortue — more at turtle

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tortoise

• desert tortoise
• giant tortoise
• tortoise beetle

Kids Definition

tortoise

noun

tor·​toise ˈtȯrt-əs 

: turtle entry 2

especially : a land-dwelling turtle