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

Illustration of snapping turtle

Illustration of snapping turtle
  • snapping turtle a

Examples of snapping turtle 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.
And although Virginia hasn’t ever maintained records for giant snapping turtles, Marshall still wanted someone with the state to come look at it. Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 18 Sep. 2024 His age is unknown, but snapping turtles can live up to 70 years, per DWR. Karri Peifer, Axios, 10 Sep. 2024 The camp begins in a swimming pool—still concrete—and then moves on to a swamp, with snapping turtles and slow-moving water, before concluding with some real rapids on a local river. Ben McGrath, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024 If concerned residents call, WINC is able to determine the best course of action and talk callers through the process of bringing an animal into the center, re-nesting a baby animal, reuniting an animal family or just helping a snapping turtle cross the road. Angelika Ytuarte, Journal Sentinel, 22 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for snapping turtle 

Word History

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snapping turtle was in 1784

Dictionary Entries Near snapping turtle

Cite this Entry

“Snapping turtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snapping%20turtle. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

snapping turtle

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

More from Merriam-Webster on snapping turtle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!