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 cheery month can be translated onto nails with a fun, fresh gel set, from shimmering stars to porcelain florals and chic tortoise shell. —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026

Genetic testing confirmed these were hybrid tortoises descended from Floreana giant tortoises that must have accidentally wound up on the island after being put onboard a ship for food. —Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 27 Feb. 2026

The tortoises reintroduced to Floreana will share their territory with a diverse population of nearly 200 people alongside flamingos, iguanas, penguins, sea gulls and hawks. —ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026

Off-roading in the Mojave Desert A federal judge ordered the Bureau of Land Management to close off-road vehicle trails that cut through a tortoise habitat in the western Mojave Desert. —James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

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