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 resulting brawl saw the alligator rapidly tumbling at the officers like a log rolling down hill. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026

Galeno is licensed to keep Drago the alligator until the reptile is ready and maybe too big, needing relocation to a proper environment for alligators of his size. —Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026

Those initially detained by federal immigration authorities in the region have been held at Alligator Alcatraz, which was named in light of the 200,000 wild alligators that live in the surrounding swampland. —Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 9 May 2026

According to wildlife experts, aggressive alligator fights aren't unheard of — particularly during mating season, which takes place from early April through September each year. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 9 May 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"