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 details are so considered—from the alligator skin pole to the vertical copy going down teardrop-style, every element works together so well. —Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025

Arts and crafts vendors sell unique holiday gifts while thousands of live alligators sun nearby, some sporting festive accessories. —Lisa A. Beach, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025

According to the agency, after being removed from the road, the alligator was taken to a Florida alligator farm and was released there. —Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025

Other hotspots include Lake George, one of Florida's largest lakes, and parts of Lake Okeechobee, where abundant fish and expansive habitat help support high numbers of large alligators. —Briauna Brown, CBS News, 3 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"