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box turtle

American

noun

any of several chiefly terrestrial turtles of the genus Terrapene, of North America, having a hinged plastron that can be tightly shut to enclose and protect the body.

Etymology

Origin of box turtle

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The eastern box turtle is also deemed vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

From BBC • Aug. 12, 2025

The state estimates property damage from such wrecks at nearly $20 million annually, while unbroken roads also fracture habitats for monitored species of concern including the ornate box turtle, white-nosed coati and gila monster.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 23, 2023

And with the help of a talking box turtle, she travels through time.

From Washington Post • Jun. 21, 2022

The yellow, black, and brown patterns on the box turtle shells make them very difficult for biologists to see on a forest floor covered in leaf litter.

From Washington Times • Jun. 2, 2018

It’s a turtle, box turtle, munching on old Whopper lettuce.

From "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023