crocodilian

noun

croc·​o·​dil·​ian ˌkrä-kə-ˈdi-lē-ən How to pronounce crocodilian (audio)
-ˈdil-yən
: any of an order (Crocodylia) of reptiles including the crocodiles, alligators, caimans, gharials, and related extinct forms
crocodilian adjective

Examples of crocodilian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Intriguingly, the fossil also shows evidence of teeth marks that are judged to have probably belonged to an extinct caiman, or crocodilian, species—purussaurus—that is thought to have grown up to 30 feet in length. Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 Fourteen of 23 crocodilian species dig burrows, including the Chinese alligator (alligator sinensis), which also creates an extensive tunnel system on riverbanks. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024 Younger tyrannosaurs, in particular, likely targeted smaller prey, from lizards and crocodilians to other juvenile dinosaurs. Alex Orlando, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2024 This Amazonian freshwater environment was nutrient-rich and teeming with life, home to crocodilians, turtles and fish, as well as mammals such as sloths, rodents, ungulates and primates. Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crocodilian 

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crocodilian was in 1837

Dictionary Entries Near crocodilian

Cite this Entry

“Crocodilian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crocodilian. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

crocodilian

noun
croc·​o·​dil·​ian ˌkräk-ə-ˈdil-ē-ən How to pronounce crocodilian (audio)
-ˈdil-yən
: any of an order of reptiles that includes the crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and related extinct forms
crocodilian adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on crocodilian

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