three-toed sloth
noun
: any of a genus (Bradypus) of sloths having three clawed digits on each foot and eight or nine vertebrae in the neck compare two-toed sloth
Examples of three-toed sloth in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Will Levis has the pocket awareness of a three-toed sloth.
—
Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
It has sometimes been called sloth fever because scientists first investigating the virus found it in a three-toed sloth, and believed sloths were important in its spread between insects and animals.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 28 Aug. 2024
The next day included a visit to the Punta Culebra Nature Center in Panama City, where a three-toed sloth dangled from a tree out front.
—Pam Leblanc, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2023
During that period, the company, like some sort of corporate three-toed sloth, has clung tenaciously to Cord's precept.
—John Phillips, Car and Driver, 10 Mar. 2023
The three-toed sloth is one of the slowest animals, according to treehugger.com.
—Mythili Devarakonda, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2022
Some of the unusual species on view include the Brown-throated three-toed sloth, an Antillean manatee, Harpy eagle, Napoleon wrasse, and the fan-favorite Pygmy marmosets, also known as finger monkeys, one of the smallest primates in the world.
—Dallas News, 5 Jan. 2022
High on a tree branch, a three-toed sloth was eating leaves at an unhurried pace.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2015
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
It has sometimes been called sloth fever because scientists first investigating the virus found it in a three-toed sloth, and believed sloths were important in its spread between insects and animals.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 28 Aug. 2024
The next day included a visit to the Punta Culebra Nature Center in Panama City, where a three-toed sloth dangled from a tree out front.
—Pam Leblanc, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2023
During that period, the company, like some sort of corporate three-toed sloth, has clung tenaciously to Cord's precept.
—John Phillips, Car and Driver, 10 Mar. 2023
The three-toed sloth is one of the slowest animals, according to treehugger.com.
—Mythili Devarakonda, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2022
Some of the unusual species on view include the Brown-throated three-toed sloth, an Antillean manatee, Harpy eagle, Napoleon wrasse, and the fan-favorite Pygmy marmosets, also known as finger monkeys, one of the smallest primates in the world.
—Dallas News, 5 Jan. 2022
High on a tree branch, a three-toed sloth was eating leaves at an unhurried pace.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2015
Cite this Entry
“Three-toed sloth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/three-toed%20sloth. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share