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 Gators and crocodiles both belong to a group of reptiles called crocodilians, according to the National Park Service. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 Neal Rubin was once given a caiman, a smaller South American crocodilian, as a birthday gift and moved it across the country in the back seat of a '71 Plymouth Fury. Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 22 Feb. 2024 While today’s crocodilians have unidirectional breathing through their lungs, their air handling does not extend to their bones, which do not have any air-sac cavities. Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 26 July 2023 Birds and crocodilians are archosaurs, the living relatives of non-avian dinosaurs and pterosaurs. Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 26 July 2023 The research found that many turtles, crocodilians, and salamanders have very low aging rates. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024 So, in 1977, the base launched its first counteroffensive against the crocodilians. Freda Kreier, New York Times, 24 Oct. 2023 Current crocodilians and the Komodo dragon undergo similar dietary shifts during their growth, Sues adds. Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Dec. 2023 And the animals are more aggressive when cornered than native crocodilians, potentially putting people at risk of attacks. Freda Kreier, New York Times, 24 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crocodilian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 18 Mar. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!