alligator

noun

al·​li·​ga·​tor ˈa-lə-ˌgā-tər 

1

: either of two large carnivorous, thick-skinned, long-bodied, aquatic, crocodilian reptiles (Alligator mississippiensis of the southeastern U.S. and A. sinensis of China) that have a broad head with a slightly tapered, long, rounded, U-shaped snout and a special pocket in the upper jaw for reception of the enlarged lower fourth tooth

broadly : crocodilian

2

: leather made from alligator hide

Illustration of alligator

• alligator 1

Examples of alligator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An alligator that went missing in Kansas City’s Northland was found alive Monday morning after 10 days on the loose. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2024

The body of a missing Texas woman has been found in the mouth of an alligator, according to officials. —Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 29 May 2024

Officials in Houston, Texas, found an alligator taking bites out of a woman Tuesday morning. —Landon Mion, Fox News, 29 May 2024

Coming face-to-face with either a crocodile or an alligator is undoubtedly a frightening situation. —Stacey Leasca, Southern Living, 29 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish el lagarto the lizard, from el the (from Latin ille that) + lagarto lizard, from Vulgar Latin *lacartus, from Latin lacertus, lacerta — more at lizard

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing alligator

• alligator clip
• alligator pear
• alligator snapper
• alligator snapping turtle

Kids Definition

alligator

noun

al·​li·​ga·​tor ˈal-ə-ˌgāt-ər 

1

: either of two large short-legged reptiles resembling crocodiles but having a shorter and broader snout

2

: leather made from alligator's hide

Etymology

from Spanish el lagarto "the lizard"