-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
three-toed sloth
noun
: any of a genus (Bradypus) of sloths having three clawed digits on each foot and eight or nine vertebrae in the neck compare two-toed sloth
Examples of three-toed sloth in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The next day included a visit to the Punta Culebra Nature Center in Panama City, where a three-toed sloth dangled from a tree out front.
—Pam Leblanc, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2023
During that period, the company, like some sort of corporate three-toed sloth, has clung tenaciously to Cord's precept.
—John Phillips, Car and Driver, 10 Mar. 2023
Neam explains that a three-toed sloth's skin is a veritable cafeteria of food options.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2015
Some of the unusual species on view include the Brown-throated three-toed sloth, an Antillean manatee, Harpy eagle, Napoleon wrasse, and the fan-favorite Pygmy marmosets, also known as finger monkeys, one of the smallest primates in the world.
—Dallas News, 5 Jan. 2022
High on a tree branch, a three-toed sloth was eating leaves at an unhurried pace.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2015
The three-toed sloth is one of the slowest animals, according to treehugger.com.
—Mythili Devarakonda, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2022
The slowest mammal in the world is the three-toed sloth.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 6 Aug. 2022
As well as taking still photos, Sartore records videos of the animal -- such as this brown-throated three-toed sloth filmed at the Pan-American Conservation Association in Panama.
—Leif Coorlim, CNN, 21 July 2022
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1847, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near three-toed sloth
Cite this Entry
“Three-toed sloth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/three-toed%20sloth. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
three-toed sloth
nounˌthrē-ˌtōd-
: any of a genus of sloths having three claws on each foot compare two-toed sloth
More from Merriam-Webster on three-toed sloth
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about three-toed sloth
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share