Illustration of leatherback
leatherback
noun
leath·er·back
ˈle-t͟hər-ˌbak 
: the largest existing sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) distinguished by its flexible carapace composed of a mosaic of small bones embedded in a thick leathery skin
Examples of leatherback in a Sentence
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The hawksbill, loggerhead, and green sea turtles still come to Curaçao to lay their eggs, but the leatherback sea turtle, the largest sea turtle species, no longer nests on the island.
—
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
During turtle nesting season, visitors may join Fundação Príncipe’s conservation team to observe green, olive ridley, hawksbill and leatherback turtles laying eggs on Praia Grande—an experience supported by the resort’s protective measures, including turtle-safe lighting.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The northeast corridor, home to lush forests and a nesting ground for the endangered leatherback turtle, has been one of the areas most affected by unregulated tourism.
—Josh Rivera, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Riptide, a female leatherback turtle from the Caribbean, was tagged and released off the coast of Panama on May 22.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
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Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
During turtle nesting season, visitors may join Fundação Príncipe’s conservation team to observe green, olive ridley, hawksbill and leatherback turtles laying eggs on Praia Grande—an experience supported by the resort’s protective measures, including turtle-safe lighting.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The northeast corridor, home to lush forests and a nesting ground for the endangered leatherback turtle, has been one of the areas most affected by unregulated tourism.
—Josh Rivera, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Riptide, a female leatherback turtle from the Caribbean, was tagged and released off the coast of Panama on May 22.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leatherback
Cite this Entry
“Leatherback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leatherback. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
leatherback
noun
leath·er·back
ˈlet͟h-ər-ˌbak
: the largest existing sea turtle with a shell composed of small bones embedded in a thick leathery skin
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