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

An alligator was spotted floating next to kayakers in a Pennsylvania river. —Fox News Staff, Fox News, 26 Sep. 2023

These measures were taken following the tragic death of a toddler who was attacked by an alligator while visiting Disney World in 2016. —Lizzy Rosenberg, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2023

In 2016, a 2-year-old boy was attacked and killed by an alligator on the beach at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa near Orlando. —Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2023

Hunters begin to realize how big the alligator was Woods said at 3:30 a.m. —Brian Broom, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023

The floor-length strapless gown is almost entirely constructed from metal duckbill (or alligator) hair clips. —Marci Robin, Allure, 13 Sep. 2023

Take a rugged ride through the brush, mud, and swamps of Florida and search for alligators, deer, and all kinds of wildlife on the ranch. —Anna Mahan, Country Living, 10 Sep. 2023

One picture shows an alligator, illuminated by Caulfield, with its mouth open and framed by tall grass. —Richard Sandomir, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023

Nearly extinct by the 1940s, American alligators were first protected in the state of Alabama in 1938 and added to the federal endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1967. —Paul Richards, Field & Stream, 30 Aug. 2023

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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 snapper
• alligator pear
• alligator snapping turtle

• alligator clip
• alligator snapper
• alligator pear
• alligator snapping turtle

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"