loggerhead

noun

log·​ger·​head ˈlȯ-gər-ˌhed 

ˈlä-

1

chiefly dialectal

a

: blockhead

b

: head

especially : a disproportionately large head

2

a

: 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

Illustration of loggerhead

• loggerhead 2a

Phrases

at loggerheads

: in or into a state of quarrelsome disagreement

Synonyms

• idiot
• moron
• stupid
• mutt
• hammerhead
• dummy

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

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and Martin County firefighters rescued a giant loggerhead sea turtle that became trapped in rocks on the beach earlier this week. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 19 July 2025

The X factor: 35 percent With the Big Ten and SEC at loggerheads over the format, don’t discount the potential for a compromise. —Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 11 July 2025

Life can get off to a rough start for loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) hatchlings. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 July 2025

The two companies are at loggerheads over their partnership, notes the Wall Street Journal. —Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from English dialect logger block of wood + English head

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing loggerhead

• loggerhead shrike

Rhymes for loggerhead

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead

Kids Definition

loggerhead

noun

log·​ger·​head ˈlȯg-ər-ˌhed 

ˈläg-

: any of several very large turtles

especially : a flesh-eating sea turtle of the warmer parts of the western Atlantic