painted turtle

noun

: a North American freshwater turtle (Chrysemys picta) having a greenish to black carapace with yellow, red, or olive bordered scutes and a yellow plastron

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of painted turtle was in 1876

Dictionary Entries Near painted turtle

Cite this Entry

“Painted turtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painted%20turtle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

painted turtle

noun
: a common freshwater turtle of North America with a greenish black upper shell with yellow bands and red markings and a yellow lower shell

More from Merriam-Webster on painted turtle

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!