Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

Caretta

noun
Save Word
Ca·​ret·​ta | \ kəˈretə \

Definition of Caretta

: a genus of marine turtles (family Chelonidae) comprising all the loggerhead turtles or in some classifications solely the common loggerhead (C. caretta)

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Caretta

borrowed from New Latin, borrowed from French caret “loggerhead turtle,” borrowed from Spanish carey “hawksbill turtle,” perhaps of Arawakan origin

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More About Caretta

Statistics for Caretta

Cite this Entry

“Caretta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Caretta. Accessed 21 Jun. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

inveigle

Listen to the pronunciation of inveigle

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Return of Name that Color!

  • a light greenish blue color
  • Name that color:
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games