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

To spare that half a tortoise, the order is dismantling Randsburg, a 130-year-old town of 45 people. — Shannon Welch, Oc Register, 12 July 2026

Other wildlife, such as tortoises and river otters, is constantly present too, the couple said. — David Caraccio updated July 4, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026

Silva and Gere were each snapped underwater in scuba diving gear, with Silva waving to the camera and Gere swimming with a tortoise. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026

Keep your eyes peeled for bobcats, foxes, gopher tortoises, pileated woodpeckers, and bald eagles. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 July 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