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

Adventure seekers can swim with rehabilitating sea turtles at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, go scuba diving, or take a short cruise to the Bahamas, while sports fans catch an international polo match and explore the 300-acre, cage-free Lion Country Safari. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026

All species of sea turtles found in waters of the United States are listed as either endangered or threatened and are protected by the Endangered Species Act. —Julie Sharp, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026

From April to August, keep an eye out for nesting sea turtles. —Pam Leblanc, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026

Under a blazing sun, the green sea turtle thwapped the surface of the San Gabriel River with her sole front flipper as aquarium staffers gripped her shell. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 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