tortoise

noun

tor·​toise ˈtȯr-təs 

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

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, 23 July 2025

For instance, the Mojave Desert tortoise (listed as endangered by the state of California) spends most of the year underground in places like Joshua Tree National Park. —Ruffin Prevost, AFAR Media, 18 July 2025

At Cannes Film Festival this year, Halle Berry wore frames in a distinctive yellow tortoise pattern from a new Linda Farrow x Jacquemus La Croisière capsule, and Dakota Johnson chose a pair of amber-lensed aviators. —Alison S. Cohn, Vogue, 11 July 2025

Similarly, on the Galápagos Islands, intensive control of invasive goats, pigs and donkeys has led to the recovery of native vegetation and the comeback of iconic species such as Galápagos tortoises. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025

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

Phrases Containing tortoise

• desert tortoise
• giant tortoise
• tortoise beetle

Rhymes for tortoise

• fortis
• mortis
• abortus

Kids Definition

tortoise

noun

tor·​toise ˈtȯrt-əs 

: turtle entry 2

especially : a land-dwelling turtle