Definition of matamata
plural -s
1
: a pleurodiran turtle (Chelus fimbriata) of Guiana and the northern part of Brazil that reaches a length of three feet, has a rough shell and a long neck with fleshy fimbriae on the neck and on the head, and produces eggs that yield an edible oil
2
: any of several South American trees of the genus Eschweilera of the family Lecythidaceae;
especially
: a tree yielding a heavy hard compact wood used for pilings and foundation construction
