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Definition of west indian manatee
west indian manatee
Plural:West Indian manatees
west indian manatee Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A large, gentle, and strictly herbivorous marine mammal (Trichechus manatus) found in shallow coastal waters, rivers, and estuaries of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and eastern coast of the United States, characterized by a rounded, paddle-like tail.
Example
"During our winter trip to Florida, we visited a warm-water sanctuary dedicated to protecting and rehabilitating the endangered West Indian manatee."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Named for its habitat in the West Indies (the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and surrounding waters); the word 'manatee' derives from Spanish manatí, which traces back to an indigenous Taíno word meaning 'breast' or 'udder'.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of West indian manatee. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/west indian manatee