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

Crocodiles are more tolerant of saltwater than alligators and are commonly found in mangrove habitats, bays and estuaries in South Florida. —Sergio Candido, CBS News, 16 June 2026

Engine 4 was headed to a medical emergency when the alligator appeared in the road, then moved into the yard, officials said. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026

And then on Tuesday, tragedy struck again when an alligator snatched 2-year-old Lane Graves who was playing on the beach at Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, dragging the boy into the Seven Seas Lagoon. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 2026

One of the Ridglan beagles that was adopted in South Florida, Omelette, was the source of some confusion last week as Big Dog Ranch announced the dog had escaped from his Boynton Beach home and was found dead after an apparent alligator attack. —Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2026

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"