Illustration of hawksbill turtle
hawksbill turtle
noun
hawks·bill turtle
ˈhȯks-ˌbil- 
variants
or hawksbill
: a small- to medium-sized sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) of warm waters that has a narrow hawk-like beak, an upper shell of overlapping horny plates, and usually two claws on each forelimb
Note: The hawksbill turtle feeds chiefly on sponges. Its mottled brownish upper shell was used especially formerly to produce tortoiseshell.
Examples of hawksbill turtle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Head to Pink Beach to swim with rays, schools of groupers, and hawksbill turtles in the undersea garden that grows there.
—
Melissa Locker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
In 2022, the group launched its See Shell App, which helps shoppers identify and avoid souvenirs made from the shells of the hawksbill turtle, an endangered species.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024
The customs line was packed with middle-aged Americans sharing tips about the island’s best dive sites and where to spot six-foot manta rays, hawksbill turtles, and seahorses.
—Nora Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2024
Several green and hawksbill turtles are darting in and out of a vibrant coral cliff with seemingly millions of species, from sculpins to sun coral and everything in between.
—Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2024
In September, divers may see the green and hawksbill turtles.
—Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
Topping it off is Princess Alexandra Marine Park just offshore, where snorkelers can peer in on the underwater world populated by majestic rays, green and hawksbill turtles, and dazzling fish of all colors of the rainbow.
—Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2023
Oscar pointed to a hawksbill turtle.
—Margie Goldsmith, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023
Part of the conservation effort focuses on the endangered green and hawksbill turtle species that are native to the area.
—Julia Eskins, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2021
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.
Melissa Locker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024
In 2022, the group launched its See Shell App, which helps shoppers identify and avoid souvenirs made from the shells of the hawksbill turtle, an endangered species.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024
The customs line was packed with middle-aged Americans sharing tips about the island’s best dive sites and where to spot six-foot manta rays, hawksbill turtles, and seahorses.
—Nora Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2024
Several green and hawksbill turtles are darting in and out of a vibrant coral cliff with seemingly millions of species, from sculpins to sun coral and everything in between.
—Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2024
In September, divers may see the green and hawksbill turtles.
—Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
Topping it off is Princess Alexandra Marine Park just offshore, where snorkelers can peer in on the underwater world populated by majestic rays, green and hawksbill turtles, and dazzling fish of all colors of the rainbow.
—Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 27 Mar. 2023
Oscar pointed to a hawksbill turtle.
—Margie Goldsmith, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023
Part of the conservation effort focuses on the endangered green and hawksbill turtle species that are native to the area.
—Julia Eskins, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2021
Dictionary Entries Near hawksbill turtle
Cite this Entry
“Hawksbill turtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hawksbill%20turtle. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share