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

The team then began tracking the alligator using Appleton's sonar device and found it at the bottom of the lake, submerged 16 feet deep, the hunters told the Clarion-Ledger. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

The subject of snails stemmed from Mercier’s long fascination with history and time — snails like alligators predate back to 500 million years ago with the only thing changing are their sizes. —Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025

The state record for public-access alligators is 14 feet 3 inches. —Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025

Mardi Gras beads were also draped over alligator decor. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for alligator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator
• calculator

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"