giant tortoise

noun

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

giant tortoise

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.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of giant tortoise¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Oh, and the two giant tortoises out back.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on 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”.

Read more on NewsForKids.net

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

Read more on NewsForKids.net