Illustration of leatherback
leatherback
noun
leath·er·back
ˈle-t͟hər-ˌbak 
: 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
Examples of leatherback in a Sentence
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Waters surrounding Florida are home to loggerhead, green, leatherback, Kemp’s Ridley and Hawksbill turtles, all considered endangered, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says.
—
Mark Price, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Wildlife, from endangered loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles to manatees is abundant.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 July 2025
To see the rarer leatherback, visit from February to April.
—AFAR Media, 11 July 2025
The Pacific leatherback populations are most at risk of extinction.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
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Mark Price, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Wildlife, from endangered loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles to manatees is abundant.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 July 2025
To see the rarer leatherback, visit from February to April.
—AFAR Media, 11 July 2025
The Pacific leatherback populations are most at risk of extinction.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for leatherback
Cite this Entry
“Leatherback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leatherback. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
leatherback
noun
leath·er·back
ˈlet͟h-ər-ˌbak
: the largest existing sea turtle with a shell composed of small bones embedded in a thick leathery skin
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