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.

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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.)

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Etymology

Origin of giant tortoise

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

The reintroduction follows a "back-breeding" programme launched in 2017 after scientists discovered tortoises carrying ancestry of the Floreana giant tortoise on nearby Isabela island.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

The last time someone saw a giant tortoise from Fernandina island was 113 years ago, in 1906.

From NewsForKids.net • Apr. 22, 2024

Chutti, a one-horned rhinoceros, had his leathery hide and snout hosed down, as did Elvis, a Galapagos giant tortoise.

From Reuters • Jul. 21, 2023

Swimming with barrel-rolling sea lions, seeing a blue-footed booby chick peeking out from beneath its mother, kayaking with flamingoes and experiencing the meditative pace of a giant tortoise — all exceeded the goal.

From New York Times • Aug. 26, 2022

When Dad was tucking me in that night, the night before the worst day, I asked if the world was a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.

From "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer