green turtle

American  

noun

1. a sea turtle, Chelonia mydas, common in tropical and subtropical seas, the flesh of which is used for turtle soup: now greatly reduced in number and endangered in some areas.

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green turtle British  

noun

1. a mainly tropical edible turtle, Chelonia mydas, with greenish flesh used to prepare turtle soup: family Chelonidae

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Etymology

Origin of green turtle

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

Now, thanks to decades of global conservation efforts - from protecting eggs and releasing hatchlings on beaches, to reducing accidental capture in fishing nets - new data shows green turtle populations are rebounding.

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2025

The green turtle is no longer endangered, it said, citing "decades of sustained conservation action" that saw its population recover by 28 percent since the 1970s.

From Barron's • Oct. 10, 2025

The Central South Pacific and East Pacific green turtle is at greater risk because of climate change, for example.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 11, 2023

Fishermen discovered the federally-protected animal, which appeared to be a green turtle, on Friday afternoon, a park’s service and law enforcement ranger told the Miami Herald.

From Fox News • Jun. 26, 2019

Chica looked as smug as a green turtle can look, and didn’t seem to mind at all.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr