What does manatee mean?
A manatee is a large, slow-moving marine mammal that lives in warm coastal waters of the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the southeastern United States. It is a herbivore, feeding mainly on sea grasses, and is often called a sea cow because of its rounded, heavy body and grazing behavior. Manatees have paddle-shaped flippers, a broad snout with sensitive whiskers, and a flattened tail rather than the prominent forked tail of a dugong. They are generally gentle and approachable, but their proximity to boats makes accidental injury a serious concern, especially in Florida. Conservation efforts focus on protecting their feeding grounds, reducing boat strikes, and preventing drowning. The word is also sometimes used more broadly for any sirenian, though it most commonly refers to the West Indian and Florida species.
nounA large, herbivorous marine mammal with a rounded body, paddle-shaped flippers, and a broad, whiskered snout, found in warm coastal waters of the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the southeastern United States. Manatees are also called sea cows because of their grazing habits and resemblance to cows.
- Any of the large, slow-moving herbivorous marine mammals of the family Dugongidae, especially the species found in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and southeastern United States.
"A manatee grazed peacefully on sea grass in the warm coastal water."
"Divers spotted a manatee resting near the coral reef."
"Boat captains in Florida are advised to watch for manatees near the surface."
The regular plural is used for individual animals and for groups or populations of manatees.
"Rescue workers transported two manatees to a rehabilitation center."
Despite its nickname, the sea cow is not a close relative of cattle: it is a uniquely gentle marine mammal whose ancestors made the journey from land to water millions of years ago.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does manatee come from?
The English word comes through Spanish manatí, which was borrowed from an Indigenous Taíno term. The Taíno name referred to the sea cow and was transmitted into Caribbean Spanish before being adopted in English. The familiar form manatee developed through English spelling and pronunciation of the borrowed word. The animal belongs to the order Sirenia, whose name derives from Greek mythological figures associated with water.
How manatee is actually used
The word is standard in both British and American English. In taxonomic contexts, “manatee” is often used more specifically for members of the genus Trichechus, while the broader term “sirenian” includes dugongs as well.
Easily confused with manatee
Both are sirenians, but dugongs have a distinctly forked tail and live in the Indo-Pacific, whereas manatees have a rounded tail and occur in the Caribbean and nearby Atlantic and Gulf regions.