giant tortoise

American  

noun

1. any of several large tortoises of the genus Geochelone, of the Galápagos Islands and islands near Madagascar: some are endangered.

---

giant tortoise British  

noun

1. any of various very large tortoises of the genus Testudo, of the Galápagos, Seychelles, and certain other islands, weighing up to 225 kilograms (495 lbs.)

---

Etymology

Origin of giant tortoise

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Oh, and the two giant tortoises out back.

From Los Angeles Times

A pair of critically endangered giant tortoises aged about 100 years old have become first-time parents at Philadelphia Zoo.

From BBC

A man has been served a court summons over the deaths of 10 giant tortoises found in Devon, police have said.

From BBC

At times, the island has also been called Hood Island, which is how Diego’s species was given the name “Hood Island giant tortoise”.

From NewsForKids.net

For years Galapagos was a favorite stopping place for sailors and pirates, who used giant tortoises as food on their trips.

From NewsForKids.net