snapping turtle

noun

: either of two large American freshwater turtles (family Chelydridae) with a large head, powerful jaws, a long tail, and a strong musky odor:

a

: one (Chelydra serpentina) that has the head covered with smooth skin, has large plates in a double row on the underside of the tail, and is distributed from eastern Canada to Central America

b

: alligator snapping turtle

Illustration of snapping turtle

• snapping turtle a

Examples of snapping turtle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fatty was coincidentally discussing how snapping turtles bite when the one in his hand lunged with amazing speed and clamped down on his index finger. —Mark Price, Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2025

The family also reminisced about a pet snapping turtle, who had once reappeared in their garden almost a year after running away. —Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025

Wild Rehabilitation believe that Polly, a 1-year-old Pekin duck who's missing part of her bill, was dumped at a pond by her former owner and attacked by a snapping turtle. —Natalie Escobar, NPR, 24 Dec. 2024

While probably the best option if unable to stop or pass in another lane, snapping turtles cannot retract into its shell, and often will defend themselves by rearing up to snap. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 19 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

snapping turtle

noun

: either of two large American freshwater turtles that have a large head, powerful jaws, and a long tail