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

In a league dominated on draft weekend by movement and repositioning, the Bengals accept the role of the tortoise versus the hare. —Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026

Scorcio’s mother returned from a trip with the tortoise. —Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026

LondonAP — Reports on April Fools’ Day of the death of the world’s oldest living land animal — a 193-year-old tortoise called Jonathan — were greatly exaggerated. —CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026

Speaking of cryptocurrency, you may be relieved to know that Jonathan, the world’s oldest tortoise, is alive and well, despite rumors to the contrary. —Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for tortoise

• fortis
• mortis
• abortus

Kids Definition

tortoise

noun

tor·​toise ˈtȯrt-əs 

: turtle entry 2

especially : a land-dwelling turtle