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

Around the summer solstice the alligator mother shoves vegetation from her wetland habitat into a pile to create a nest. —Elizabeth Preston, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025

Unlike their alligator cousins, which are known to occasionally attack people, American crocodiles are shyer and less aggressive. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025

Dorit is trying to solve it by sending her kids to visit her parents in Florida for a few weeks, but PK, an ill-fitting thong made out of an alligator’s taint skin, has blocked it just to torture her. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025

Continue reading … CRAZY CAPTURE – Hungry alligator nabbed outside 7-Eleven. —FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 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"