alligator

noun

al·li·ga·tor | \ ˈa-lə-ˌgā-tər

Definition of alligator

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

Examples of alligator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida, is home to many wild animals, one of which is a 12-foot alligator. — Michelle Profis, Country Living, "Holy Cow! Here's a Video of the Biggest Alligator We've Ever Seen," 19 Jan. 2017 This month, Majlak moved into Paul’s home, which the YouTuber celebrated by planting an actual alligator in Majlak’s room. — Patricia Hernandez, The Verge, "Meet the babysitter who helps Logan Paul stay out of trouble on YouTube," 3 Dec. 2018 Other famous cases include a 1997 removal of an alligator from a Naperville golf course and a 2010 capture of a wild turkey which was reportedly playing chicken with Lake Bluff motorists. — Graydon Megan, chicagotribune.com, "Garon Fyffe, naturalist and animal expert, dies," 2 July 2018 Spring training doesn’t start until later this month, but someone — an alligator — was interested in getting a jump on the season. — Michelle R. Martinelli, For The Win, "Tiny alligator invades Red Sox's spring training complex," 3 Feb. 2018 But their actions do bowfishers, already under fire from some quarters concerning their targeting of alligator gar, a disservice that could well see their recreation face increased regulation. — Shannon Tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Boat ramps a gateway to fun or frustration," 28 June 2018 But some of its cousins, like the crocodiles and alligators, persist today, as do the descendants of dinosaurs: birds. — John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, "Found in the Cold Mountains of Antarctica: A Warm Weather Lizard Fossil," 31 Jan. 2019 Jolie and Jack's first bout of flirting is about the difference between crocodiles and alligators. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "26 Times the One Tree Hill Lifetime Christmas Movie Will Remind You of, Well, One Tree Hill," 23 Nov. 2018 Police say officers arrived within minutes and that three officers jumped into the lake, which is known to contain alligators and snakes. — Fox News, "Dramatic video shows police pulling woman from car sinking in Texas lake," 2 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alligator.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

15 Apr 2019

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The first known use of alligator was in 1591

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More Definitions for alligator

alligator

noun

English Language Learners Definition of alligator

: a large reptile that has a long body, thick skin, and sharp teeth, that lives in the tropical parts of the U.S. and China, and that is related to crocodiles

: the skin of an alligator used for making shoes and other products

See the full definition for alligator in the English Language Learners Dictionary

alligator

noun

al·li·ga·tor | \ ˈa-lə-ˌgā-tər