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

Hatchling sea turtles use the bright sea horizon to find the ocean. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026

For generations, four species of sea turtles have returned to the north coast of Curaçao, now Shete Boka National Park, to lay their eggs. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026

For 25 years now, whenever ailing sea turtles are stranded and rescued from regional waters (caught in netting, injured by a boat prop or shark attack, accidentally hooked by a fisherman, or stunned by a cold front), they are brought here for care, recuperation, and a second chance at life. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026

According to DarkSky International, sea turtles and birds use moonlight to navigate during migration. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 6 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sea turtle

• fertile
• hurtle
• kirtle
• myrtle
• infertile

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