manatee

[ man-uh-tee, man-uh-tee ]

noun

1. any of several plant-eating aquatic mammals of the genus Trichechus, of West Indian, Floridian, and Gulf Coast waters, having two flippers in front and a broad, spoon-shaped tail: all species are endangered.

manatee

/ ˈmænəˌtiː, ˌmænəˈtiː /

noun

1. any sirenian mammal of the genus Trichechus, occurring in tropical coastal waters of America, the Caribbean, and Africa: family Trichechidae. They resemble whales and have a prehensile upper lip and a broad flattened tail

Derived Forms

• ˈmanaˌtoid, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of manatee¹

1545–55; < Spanish manatí < Carib, but associated with Latin manātus provided with hands

Word History and Origins

Origin of manatee¹

C16: via Spanish from Carib Manattouī

Example Sentences

These algal blooms ravage the waters, depleting oxygen, and choking off the seagrasses that manatees rely on to feed.

From Popular-Science

Boat strikes are usually the biggest culprit for manatee deaths, but starvation seems to have taken the lead.

From Popular-Science

Both seagrass and coral have a special importance in a variety of ecosystems, especially since both feed or house endangered species like some species of turtles, seahorses, and manatees.

From Popular-Science

According to Oceanic Society, the habitat here is home to more than 500 fish species and 65 stony corals, as well as manatees, saltwater crocodiles and many other animals that may be encountered during a day’s adventures.

From Washington Post

Threatened Antillean manatees may be crowded out of their habitat by the aggressive newcomers.

From Washington Post

To these we gave boiled rice, and with it turtle and manatee boiled.

From Project Gutenberg

And it was to jab harpoons and spears into porpoises and manatee and sawfish, and be dragged about in their boat.

From Project Gutenberg

By taking a creditable steamer at Cedar Keys, we can reach Manatee, the point of our destination.

From Project Gutenberg

Let all those who dream of sand-hills, and only starvation staring them in the face while in Florida, come to Manatee.

From Project Gutenberg

Those rhyme-writers never visited Manatee, where new-born roses open every day, and summer lingers all the year.

From Project Gutenberg