1
: any of a family (Testudinidae) of terrestrial turtles
broadly
: turtle
2
: someone or something regarded as slow or laggard
Examples of tortoise in a Sentence
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The 360-acre preserve adjacent to the LEC and Deltona Regional Library is home to a variety of wildlife, including Florida scrub jays and gopher tortoises, which are drawn to the low vegetation and sandy ridges of the scrub habitat.
—
Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025
Galapagos tortoise celebrates his 135th birthday and his first Father’s Day at Zoo Miami
Goliath, a 135-year-old, 517-pound Galapagos tortoise at Zoo Miami, became a father for the first time earlier this month, zoo officials said.
—South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2025
Zoo officials said the tortoises largely live behind the scenes, but visitors might be able to see and learn about them at Ambassador Carts throughout the summer.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 11 June 2025
Upon arrival, visitors can pay a visit to the butterfly house in search of colorful insects or hang out with the resident tortoises—but no trip to La Marquesa is complete without exploring the on-property aviary.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
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Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025
Galapagos tortoise celebrates his 135th birthday and his first Father’s Day at Zoo Miami
Goliath, a 135-year-old, 517-pound Galapagos tortoise at Zoo Miami, became a father for the first time earlier this month, zoo officials said.
—South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2025
Zoo officials said the tortoises largely live behind the scenes, but visitors might be able to see and learn about them at Ambassador Carts throughout the summer.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 11 June 2025
Upon arrival, visitors can pay a visit to the butterfly house in search of colorful insects or hang out with the resident tortoises—but no trip to La Marquesa is complete without exploring the on-property aviary.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tortoise
Cite this Entry
“Tortoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tortoise. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tortoise
noun
tor·toise
ˈtȯrt-əs 
: turtle entry 2
especially
: a land-dwelling turtle
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