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

Local residents would flock to the area, prompting a warning from police to stop taking selfies with the alligator, WAGA reported. —Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025

Kim Spencer of Tampa, Florida, was on an evening walk with her dog Kona when an alligator emerged from a lake nearby with its sights set on the pet. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 3 June 2025

Two motorcyclists were hospitalized over the weekend after striking a six-foot alligator on a Florida highway, according to state Highway Patrol. —Kyle Schmidbauer, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025

Aged in alligator char barrels, Russell’s 10 offers a big, brooding sip that pairs well with cigars, deep thoughts, or slow Sunday afternoons. —Emily Price, Forbes.com, 29 May 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"