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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To see the rarer leatherback, visit from February to April.
—
AFAR Media, 11 July 2025
Wildlife, from endangered loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles to manatees is abundant.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 July 2025
Four can be seen off California including the largest, the leatherback.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
The Pacific leatherback populations are most at risk of extinction.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 6 June 2025
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AFAR Media, 11 July 2025
Wildlife, from endangered loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles to manatees is abundant.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 July 2025
Four can be seen off California including the largest, the leatherback.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 6 June 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 21 Aug. 2025.
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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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