giant tortoise
noun
: any of various large long-lived herbivorous land tortoises (genus Geochelone) formerly common on the islands of the western Indian Ocean and on the Galápagos Islands
Examples of giant tortoise in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Highlights include the Galápagos giant tortoise, marine iguana, and blue-footed booby.
—
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2024
Both itineraries will also include visits to the Charles Darwin Research Station, the Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre, and the Tortoise Reserve El Chato to see giant tortoises and learn about ecological preservation in the islands.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 14 Feb. 2024
According to Smithsonian, the animal, who appears on some of the island’s currency, has exceeded the species’ average life expectancy by more than 40 years — the Seychelles giant tortoise typically lives to 150 years.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 24 Jan. 2024
The reptiles, believed to be Aldabra giant tortoises, were found in Ashclyst Forest in Devon county, the Devon and Cornwall Police said in a news release on Tuesday.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 17 Jan. 2024
The owner had an unusual pet—an 80-year-old, 4-foot-long giant tortoise named Jumby, who lived in a custom enclosure with a metal roof, a pond and a waterfall in the backyard.
—Robyn A. Friedman, WSJ, 26 Oct. 2023
One of the world's largest land tortoises, Aldabra giant tortoises are native to Aldabra Island in Seychelles, an island nation northeast of Madagascar, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 17 Jan. 2024
The secret to this success is that—much like beavers, brown bears and elephants—giant tortoises are ecological architects.
—Syris Valentine, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2023
The world’s oldest living land animal, Jonathan the Seychelles giant tortoise, celebrated his 191st birthday this week.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Dec. 2023
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2024
Both itineraries will also include visits to the Charles Darwin Research Station, the Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre, and the Tortoise Reserve El Chato to see giant tortoises and learn about ecological preservation in the islands.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 14 Feb. 2024
According to Smithsonian, the animal, who appears on some of the island’s currency, has exceeded the species’ average life expectancy by more than 40 years — the Seychelles giant tortoise typically lives to 150 years.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 24 Jan. 2024
The reptiles, believed to be Aldabra giant tortoises, were found in Ashclyst Forest in Devon county, the Devon and Cornwall Police said in a news release on Tuesday.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 17 Jan. 2024
The owner had an unusual pet—an 80-year-old, 4-foot-long giant tortoise named Jumby, who lived in a custom enclosure with a metal roof, a pond and a waterfall in the backyard.
—Robyn A. Friedman, WSJ, 26 Oct. 2023
One of the world's largest land tortoises, Aldabra giant tortoises are native to Aldabra Island in Seychelles, an island nation northeast of Madagascar, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 17 Jan. 2024
The secret to this success is that—much like beavers, brown bears and elephants—giant tortoises are ecological architects.
—Syris Valentine, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2023
The world’s oldest living land animal, Jonathan the Seychelles giant tortoise, celebrated his 191st birthday this week.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'giant tortoise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1909, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of giant tortoise was
circa 1909
Dictionary Entries Near giant tortoise
Cite this Entry
“Giant tortoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giant%20tortoise. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
giant tortoise
noun
: any of various large plant-eating tortoises of the Galapagos Islands and islands of the western Indian Ocean
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share