tortoise

noun

tor·​toise ˈtȯr-təs How to pronounce tortoise (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The festival lineup also includes wildlife presentations, exhibitor booths and demonstrations, and a Kids Zone with face painting, lawn games, casting activities, a gopher tortoise burrow exhibit and crafts. — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 There are goats, pigs, and donkeys, as well as Ringo, an 80-pound African spurred tortoise who came to Georgia from a rescue in New York. — Brian Unger, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Anyone know how to properly accommodate a wayward Russian tortoise? — Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026 In particular, genes involved in the function of Jonathan's mitochondria -- which are structures inside cells that produce energy -- appeared similar to those from a 5-year-old tortoise named Hatchling. — Kyle Melnick The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tortoise

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tortoise was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing tortoise

Rhymes for tortoise

See All Rhymes for tortoise

Browse Nearby Words

tortle
tortoise
tortoise beetle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tortoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tortoise. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tortoise

noun
tor·​toise ˈtȯrt-əs How to pronounce tortoise (audio)
: turtle entry 2
especially : a land-dwelling turtle

More from Merriam-Webster on tortoise

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tortoise

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