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turtle
1[ tur-tl ]
noun
- any reptile of the order Testudines, comprising aquatic and terrestrial species having the trunk enclosed in a shell consisting of a dorsal carapace and a ventral plastron.
- (not used technically) an aquatic turtle as distinguished from a terrestrial one. Compare tortoise ( def 1 ).
verb (used without object)
- to catch turtles, especially as a business.
turtle
2[ tur-tl ]
noun
- a turtledove.
turtle
1/ ˈtɜːtəl /
noun
- any of various aquatic chelonian reptiles, esp those of the marine family Chelonidae , having a flattened shell enclosing the body and flipper-like limbs adapted for swimming cheloniantestudinal
- any of the chelonian reptiles, including the tortoises and terrapins
- nautical a zip bag made as part of a spinnaker for holding the sail so that it can be set rapidly
- turn turtleto capsize
verb
- intr to catch or hunt turtles
turtle
2/ ˈtɜːtəl /
noun
- an archaic name for turtledove
Derived Forms
- ˈturtler, noun
Other Words From
- turtler noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of turtle1
Origin of turtle2
Word History and Origins
Origin of turtle1
Origin of turtle2
Idioms and Phrases
- turn turtle,
- Nautical. to capsize or turn over completely in foundering.
- to overturn; upset:
Several of the cars turned turtle in the course of the race.
More idioms and phrases containing turtle
see turn turtle .Example Sentences
Based on the genetic analyses, the researchers confirmed that the tuatara is more closely related to snakes and lizards than to crocodilians, birds or turtles.
The reptiles have long been of scientific interest because of their unclear evolutionary relationship with other reptiles, as they share traits with lizards and turtles as well as birds.
The earliest dinosaur eggs were more like leathery turtle eggs than hard bird’s eggs.
Explore coral reef restoration, shipwrecks, sea turtles and more.
These ecosystems are wildly diverse — home to everything from crabs to sea turtles.
This Israel-Hamas war feels different, neither turtle nor scorpion even pretending anymore about seeking peace.
A non-Sioux nation in the state, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, also said no.
The commercial then shifts to a split screen of a cartoon turtle and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
In the meantime, Stovall has learned some political lessons in light of his turtle soup success.
He was filming other television spots in January and his campaign manager and the producer wanted to do the turtle soup spot.
To these we gave boiled rice, and with it turtle and manatee boiled.
She careened so badly that the girls shrieked and Malcolm himself thought she would turn turtle.
For our use, besides bread-fruit and fish, there was a turtle weighing perhaps more than twenty pounds.
I shall give 'em real turtle from Birch's, and as for fizz, they shall swim in it if they like.
Thomas Simpson, companion of Mr. Dean in the discovery of the north-west passage, died by his own hand at Turtle river, aged 32.
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Related Words
Turtle Vs. Tortoise
What’s the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?
The words turtle and tortoise are sometimes used interchangeably, and turtle is the more general term. The word tortoise is sometimes used to distinguish a turtle as being a terrestrial (mostly land-dwelling) one, as opposed to an aquatic turtle (one that spends most of its time in water).
However, this doesn’t mean that a turtle is necessarily aquatic simply because it’s called a turtle. For example, the box turtle is primarily terrestrial (it can also be called the box tortoise).
Turtles and tortoises are both reptiles that belong to the order Testudines. Whether something is called a turtle or a tortoise often depends on its habitat and physical features.
Some aquatic turtles, like snapping turtles, have webbed feet, while others, like sea turtles, have flippers. In contrast, turtles that are called tortoises typically have stubby, round feet, and their shells are often more domed.
Here are a few quick questions to help you determine whether it’s more appropriate to call something a turtle or a tortoise.
Q: Does it spend a lot of time in the water and have webbed feet or flippers?
A: It’s probably called a turtle.
Q: Does it live mostly on land and have a domed shell and round feet?
A: There’s a good chance it’s called a tortoise, but this isn’t always the case.
Q: Is it a teenaged, mutant ninja?
A: It’s a turtle.
Still stumped? Ask a herpetologist.
Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between turtles and tortoises.
Quiz yourself on turtle vs. tortoise!
Should turtle or tortoise be used in the following sentence?
The huge, land-dwelling _____ of the Galápagos Islands is known as being one of the longest living animals in the world.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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