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 social media star appeared to be wearing the Jeffrey Campbell Agent tortoise vinyl peep-toe slide sandals to the event. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 31 July 2026 She is survived by her daughters Lezley and Alison, both artists, and Tracye, a writer, as well as six grandchildren and a red-footed tortoise named Rojo. — News Desk, Artforum, 28 July 2026 Color choices are tortoise grey polarized, black grey polarized, caramel G15 polarized, and soft taupe crystal brown gradient polarized. — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 For many the agency has lost its way (unless your public comments serve to restrict gopher tortoises, or applaud bear hunts or cheer for a high-speed roadway carved through conservation lands). — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 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 5 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of tortoise for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tortoise

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