manatee

noun

man·​a·​tee ˈma-nə-ˌtē 

: any of a genus (Trichechus of the family Trichechidae) of large, herbivorous, aquatic mammals that inhabit warm coastal and inland waters of the southeastern U.S., West Indies, northern South America, and West Africa and have a rounded body, a small head with a squarish snout, paddle-shaped flippers usually with vestigial nails, and a flattened, rounded tail used for propulsion

Note: Manatees are sirenians related to and resembling the dugong but differing most notably in the shape of the tail.

An aquatic relative of the elephant, manatees grow up to nine feet long and can weigh 1,000 pounds.

—Felicity Barringer

Illustration of manatee

Examples of manatee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From toucans and monkeys to manatees, dolphins, rays, and more, the wildlife in Belize is certain to keep the entire family entertained. —Patricia Johnson, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2025

Luke has been coasting through several grades by rewriting a research paper about manatees, earning him the nickname Manatee Cowboy from friends Claire and Gabe. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 21 Dec. 2025

In one emotional video, Kelly can be heard crying out as the crew moves the manatee out of the water. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025

Rose also worries about the cold-sensitive manatees as power companies transition away from fossil fuels because of climate change, jeopardizing the artificially warm waters around power plants. —Amy Green, Miami Herald, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish manatí, probably of Carib origin; akin to Antillean Carib manattoüi manatee

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for manatee

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy

Kids Definition

manatee

noun

man·​a·​tee ˈman-ə-ˌtē 

: any of several chiefly tropical water-dwelling mammals that eat plants and differ from the related dugong especially in having the tail broad and rounded