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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Here, Hart plays Sonny Fisher, a stay-at-home dad who excels at caring for two cute kids (Che Tafari and Amentii Sledge); his high-powered architect wife, Maya (Regina Hall); and their pet tortoise. 
Michael O'sullivan, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 Inside a classroom, there's a 30-pound tortoise named Norm, a bunny that rides around in a stroller and a school dog. Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2022 He was also prominently known as the proud father of his pet tortoise, Mikey. Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 22 May 2022 The tortoise, the largest cold-blooded terrestrial herbivore found on Earth, plays a critical role as an agent of stability in the Galapagos. Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, 31 Aug. 2022 There are about a dozen species of Galápagos Island tortoise — all of which are under threat, from vulnerable to critically endangered. Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 Now, archaeologists excavating the ancient city have found the remains of the 5.5-inch-long Hermann’s tortoise and her egg. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2022 The lone small female tortoise was found living on Fernandina Island in the Galapagos archipelago in 2019. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 11 June 2022 The custom frames are made of lightweight, two-layered handmade acetate with cut-down designs of tortoise and crystal colors in a trendy round shape. Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 1 June 2022 See More
Michael O'sullivan, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 Inside a classroom, there's a 30-pound tortoise named Norm, a bunny that rides around in a stroller and a school dog. Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2022 He was also prominently known as the proud father of his pet tortoise, Mikey. Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 22 May 2022 The tortoise, the largest cold-blooded terrestrial herbivore found on Earth, plays a critical role as an agent of stability in the Galapagos. Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, 31 Aug. 2022 There are about a dozen species of Galápagos Island tortoise — all of which are under threat, from vulnerable to critically endangered. Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 Now, archaeologists excavating the ancient city have found the remains of the 5.5-inch-long Hermann’s tortoise and her egg. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2022 The lone small female tortoise was found living on Fernandina Island in the Galapagos archipelago in 2019. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 11 June 2022 The custom frames are made of lightweight, two-layered handmade acetate with cut-down designs of tortoise and crystal colors in a trendy round shape. Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 1 June 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
tortoise
noun
tor·toise ˈtȯr-təs
1
: a usually large turtle that lives on land
2
: turtle