loggerhead

log·ger·head | \ ˈlȯ-gər-ˌhed

How to pronounce loggerhead (audio)

, ˈlä- \

Definition of loggerhead

1 chiefly dialectal

b : head especially : a disproportionately large head

2a : a very large chiefly carnivorous sea turtle (Caretta caretta) of subtropical and temperate waters

b : alligator snapping turtle

3 : an iron tool consisting of a long handle terminating in a ball or bulb that is heated and used to melt tar or to heat liquids

at loggerheads

: in or into a state of quarrelsome disagreement

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about loggerhead

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Examples of loggerhead in a Sentence

that loggerhead couldn't find the business end of a cow even if his life depended on it

Recent Examples on the Web On the plus side, the event space was converted into an open-air photo studio where guests can snap selfies with Tango, the loggerhead turtle, and other aquarium celebs. — Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, "Cultural institutions reopen with a more hands-off approach," 25 June 2020 One loggerhead carried nearly 150,000 individual animals on its shell, including nematodes, crustacean larvae, and shrimp, writes Corryn Wetzel for Nat Geo. — National Geographic, "How has the snow leopard survived?," 18 June 2020 Because loggerhead turtles forage across a dispersed range, for example, conservationists have focused on protecting breeding areas. — Tara Santora, Scientific American, "Should Ecologists Treat Male and Female Animals like ‘Different Species’?," 2 June 2020 Arctic terns fly 12,000 miles from pole to pole; loggerhead turtles cruise 8,000 miles from Japan to Baja; and bogong moths flit 600 miles across Australia to winter in caves. — Purbita Saha, Popular Science, "Animals have mysterious ways of finding their way back home," 19 May 2020 The schism threatens widespread confusion if the president and governors end up at loggerheads over how and when to begin resuming some semblance of normal life in the country once the risk of the virus begins to fade sufficiently. — Peter Baker, New York Times, "Trump Leaps to Call Shots on Combating Coronavirus, Setting Up Standoff With Governors," 13 Apr. 2020 Over the years, as different presidents have come and gone, the two countries have often been at loggerheads for different reasons. — Bheki Mngomezulu, Quartz Africa, "The awkward history behind Nigeria and South Africa’s turbulent relationship," 9 Oct. 2019 In Europe even before the assault, Turkey was at loggerheads with NATO over its purchase of Russian air-defence missiles. — The Economist, "Donald Trump’s betrayal of the Kurds is a blow to America’s credibility," 17 Oct. 2019 Ten of the 12 are green turtles, along with one loggerhead and one endangered Kemp’s Ridley turtle. — USA TODAY, "Ollie the camel, cactus-juice walls, Can-Am Crown: News from around our 50 states," 2 Mar. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'loggerhead.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near loggerhead

loggerhead shrike

loggerhead sponge

Statistics for loggerhead

Last Updated

30 Jun 2020

Cite this Entry

“Loggerhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loggerhead. Accessed 2 Jul. 2020.

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