leatherback

noun

leath·​er·​back ˈle-t͟hər-ˌbak How to pronounce leatherback (audio)
: the largest existing sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) distinguished by its flexible carapace composed of a mosaic of small bones embedded in a thick leathery skin

Illustration of leatherback

Illustration of leatherback

Examples of leatherback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Plastic bags are among the most common types of plastic waste consumed by or entangling marine animals, including the endangered Pacific leatherback sea turtles, whales and dolphins. Fiona Hines, The Mercury News, 6 July 2024 Plastic bags are often mistaken for jellyfish by leatherback turtles and consumed. Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 18 Apr. 2024 The nesting season for leatherback sea turtles runs from March to July. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024 This year, officials said six whale entanglements have been confirmed, and a dead Pacific leatherback sea turtle that got snarled in old gear from a previous year was discovered off the Farallon Islands on Nov. 24. Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for leatherback 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leatherback.' 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 1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leatherback was circa 1855

Dictionary Entries Near leatherback

Cite this Entry

“Leatherback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leatherback. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

leatherback

noun
leath·​er·​back ˈlet͟h-ər-ˌbak How to pronounce leatherback (audio)
: the largest existing sea turtle with a shell composed of small bones embedded in a thick leathery skin
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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