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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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'three-toed sloth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 5 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
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