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

The wildlife refuge is home to at least 48 mammal species, 238 bird species, 856 plant species, and 90 reptile and amphibian species, including American alligators. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2026

Some beekeepers use barges to get their hives into these remote river regions framed by ancient cypress, where alligators and turtles lurk below dark tannic water. — Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 26 July 2026

The Okefenokee is home to one of Georgia’s three populations of black bears, which are major predators of young alligators. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026

Wynn said the alligator started to get agitated and even opened its mouth and hissed at her. — Steven Yablonski, Miami Herald, 23 July 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"