turtle

1 of 3

noun (1)

tur·​tle ˈtər-tᵊl 

plural turtles also turtle

often attributive

: any of an order (Testudines synonym Chelonia) of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine reptiles that have a toothless horny beak and a shell of bony dermal plates usually covered with horny shields enclosing the trunk and into which the head, limbs, and tail usually may be withdrawn

turtle

2 of 3

noun (2)

: turtleneck

turtle

3 of 3

noun (3)

archaic

: turtledove

Examples of turtle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For the North American river otter, fish, crayfish, frogs and turtles are on the menu, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute reports. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024

Plastic bags are often mistaken for jellyfish by leatherback turtles and consumed. —Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 18 Apr. 2024

If the cold event lasts for multiple days, which has been occurring more frequently, research shows that marine animals including turtles and many fish species could suffer from hypothermia and physiological malfunction or ultimately die. —Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024

The Wooden Walls Project collaborates with artists to turn blank walls into colorful photo ops. 14 of 15 Adventure Aquarium Adventure Aquarium protects more than 8,500 aquatic species, including penguins, turtles, stingrays, and the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast. —Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2024

While snorkeling, other marine marvels include Great Barracudas and graceful leatherback turtles, to dozens of other fish. —Claire Volkman, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024

Their nearest living relatives are the aquatic (and comparably small) Amazon river turtles. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Other animals that live near or in the lake, such as turtles and birds, are expected to move on to nearby habitats. —Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024

Other friendly sea animal toys include sea horses, crabs, turtles, and dolphins. —Christin Perry, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

modification of French tortue, from Late Latin (bestia) tartarucha, feminine of tartaruchus of Tartarus, from Greek tartarouchos, from Tartaros Tartarus; from Mithraic and early Christian association of the turtle with infernal forces

Noun (3)

Middle English turtil, turtle, going back to Old English turtle, turtla borrowed (with dissimilation, as also in Middle Dutch tortel "turtledove," Old High German turtul, turtila) from Latin turtur, of onomatopoeic origin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1612, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1952, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing turtle

• alligator snapping turtle
• box turtle
• green turtle
• hawksbill turtle
• mock turtle soup
• mud turtle
• musk turtle
• painted turtle
• ringed turtle dove
• sea turtle
• snapping turtle
• spotted turtle
• turn turtle
• turtle-backed
• turtle bean
• turtle grass

Kids Definition

turtle

1 of 2 noun

tur·​tle ˈtərt-ᵊl 

archaic

: turtledove

turtle

2 of 2 noun

plural turtles also turtle

: any of an order of land, freshwater, and marine reptiles with a toothless horny beak and a bony shell which encloses the body and into which the head, legs, and tail usually may be withdrawn

Etymology

Noun

Old English turtla "turtledove," from Latin turtur (same meaning)

Noun

derived from French tortue "tortoise, turtle," from Latin tartaruchus "of Tartarus (part of Hades reserved for the wicked)," from Greek tartarouchos (same meaning)

Medical Definition

turtle

noun

tur·​tle ˈtərt-ᵊl 

plural turtles also turtle

often attributive

: any of an order (Testudines) of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine reptiles that have a toothless horny beak and a shell of bony dermal plates usually covered with horny shields enclosing the trunk and into which the head, limbs, and tail usually may be withdrawn

called also chelonian