tortoise

noun

tor·​toise ˈtȯr-təs How to pronounce tortoise (audio)
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

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The land that would have been paved over is home to federally protected Florida scrub jays and gopher tortoises. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2025 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, 13 Aug. 2025 The attic was converted into a home office, featuring a unique floor with a tortoise shell appearance due to previous heat damage. Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 8 Aug. 2025 Police found hundreds of red-footed baby tortoises inside the suitcases belonging to a commuter during a search of the luggage compartment, per the AP. Becca Longmire, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tortoise

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tortu, tortuse, from Anglo-French tortue — more at turtle

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tortoise was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tortoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tortoise. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

tortoise

noun
tor·​toise ˈtȯrt-əs How to pronounce tortoise (audio)
: turtle entry 2
especially : a land-dwelling turtle

More from Merriam-Webster on tortoise

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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