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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
Wildlife in the ocean, from sea turtles to whales, often mistake plastic debris for food, leading to ingestion that can block digestive tracts or cause starvation.
—David Carlin, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Most of those are Kemp’s ridleys, the world’s smallest sea turtle species, which is critically endangered.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024
These turtles need some warmth The frigid Northeast temperatures of the last several days have accelerated the arrival of sea turtles afflicted with life-threatening hypothermia at Cape Cod beaches, requiring more than 250 of them to be rescued so far.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024
Despite its serene appeal, the area is also home to a diverse ecosystem, including occasional visits from wildlife such as sea turtles and, as Noémie and Robin discovered, even saltwater crocodiles.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1612, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near sea turtle
Cite this Entry
“Sea turtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sea%20turtle. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on sea turtle
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sea turtle
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