hawksbill turtle

American  

[hawks-bil] / ˈhɔksˌbɪl /

noun

1. a sea turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, the shell of which is the source of tortoise shell: an endangered species.

---

hawksbill turtle British  

/ ˈhɔːksˌbɪl /

noun

1. Also called: hawkbill.   tortoiseshell turtle.  a small tropical turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, with a hooked beaklike mouth: a source of tortoiseshell: family Chelonidae

---

Etymology

Origin of hawksbill turtle

First recorded in 1650–60; hawk ¹ + 's ¹ + bill ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hawksbill turtle

Third place went to Matty Smith for an image of a hawksbill turtle hatchling, heading out to sea for the first time.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2021

It had taken me three days of snorkeling, but I finally hit the jackpot — an endangered hawksbill turtle, serenely munching tropical sea grass in the shallows of Francis Bay.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 24, 2021

Species such as the hawksbill turtle are dependant on coral reefs which are bleaching and dying with climate change.

From The Guardian ● Jan. 19, 2017

No, it was a hawksbill turtle, which seemed as surprised to see me as I was to see it, though not as delighted.

From New York Times ● Nov. 6, 2014

Our fishing party have taken in their seine to-day, two flying-fish of the gurnet species, and a hawksbill turtle.

From A Voyage Round the World, Volume I Including Travels in Africa, Asia, Australasia, America, etc., etc., from 1827 to 1832 by Holman, James