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

Florida has more than 60 such crossings, to protect panthers, alligators, bears, bobcats and deer. —Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025

The owners have also realized that the 550-acre tract that includes the Sportatorium, once home to little but marsh birds and alligators, is now smack in the middle of a building boom that is sweeping southwest Broward. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025

While incidents like these are tragic, alligator attacks remain extremely rare. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025

It is also estimated that 12,000 alligators live within the refuge, too. —Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 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"