caiman

noun

cai·​man ˈkā-mən  kā-ˈman 

kī-

variants or less commonly cayman

: any of several Central and South American crocodilians (such as genera Caiman, Melanosuchus, and Paleosuchus) similar to alligators

Examples of caiman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some of his photos took a split-second to capture, like the black caiman that poked its head out of the water to gobble up a passing bird. —Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025

One evening, a young man named Francis took us on a walk and found rainbow beetles, scorpions, a possum and a 3-foot-long caiman. —The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025

The research team analyzed DNA and fossils from 128 living and extinct crocodilians—the group that includes crocodiles, alligators and caimans—to paint a picture of how these animals evolved. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025

Other scavengers — pumas, ocelots, caiman, and coyotes — were rarely spotted. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 9 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish caimán, probably from Carib caymán

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for caiman

• hymen
• liman
• thymine

Kids Definition

caiman

noun

cai·​man

variants also cayman

kā-ˈman,

kī-;

ˈkā-mən

: any of several Central and South American reptiles closely related to and resembling alligators