sea turtle

noun

: any of two families (Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae) of widely distributed marine turtles that have the feet modified into paddles and that include the green turtle, leatherback, hawksbill, loggerhead, and ridley

Examples of sea turtle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Loggerhead and other types of sea turtles can be spotted here as well, as the area is a popular nesting ground. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026

Glass-bottom boats gliding along the surface reveal sea turtles, Goliath grouper, and elkhorn coral to travelers who don't want to get wet. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026

These include donating mangroves to help restore the wetlands around the Bahamas, creating coral nurseries, and rescuing and reintroducing animals like sea turtles back into their natural habitats. —Kristin Braswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026

Scientists also estimated that 167,000 sea turtles were killed, ranging from hatchlings to adults. —Christian Wagley, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sea turtle

• fertile
• hurtle
• kirtle
• myrtle
• infertile

Kids Definition

sea turtle

noun

: any of various large marine turtles (as the green turtle or the loggerhead) that have paddle-shaped feet to aid in swimming