leatherback turtle

[ leth-er-bak ]
/ ˈlɛð ərˌbæk /

noun

a sea turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, having the shell embedded in a leathery skin, reaching a length of more than 7 feet (2.1 meter) and a weight of more than 1000 pounds (450 kg): the largest living sea turtle; an endangered species.
Also called leath·er·back.

Origin of leatherback turtle

First recorded in 1875–80; leather + back1

Example sentences from the Web for leatherback

British Dictionary definitions for leatherback

leatherback
/ (ˈlɛðəˌbæk) /

noun

a large turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, of warm and tropical seas, having a ridged leathery carapace: family Dermochelidae Also called (in Britain): leathery turtle