diamondback terrapin

noun

: a terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) formerly widely distributed in salt marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts but now much restricted

Illustration of diamondback terrapin

• diamondback terrapin

Examples of diamondback terrapin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In October 2021, the New England Wildlife Center discovered another rare diamondback terrapin hatchling that had two heads and six legs. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

The Cape Wildlife Center in Barnstable, Massachusetts, shared a photo Thursday of a diamondback terrapin with two heads. — Neal Riley, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Other species up for consideration include the Cascade red fox, diamondback terrapin, Goose Lake lamprey, Goose Lake sucker, Goose Lake tui chub and loopy five firefly. — Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 17 July 2026

In Connecticut, diamondback terrapins live in saltmarsh habitats and consume coffee bean snails, which if left unchecked would consume all the grass in the saltmarsh. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for diamondback terrapin

• tetrahydrofuran
• afghan
• bedpan
• began
• caveman
• chapin
• cyan
• deadpan
• dextran
• divan
• doorman
• fishman

Kids Definition

diamondback terrapin

noun

: any of several edible terrapins of coastal salt marshes of the southeastern U.S.