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

Think catfish bigger than humans, caimans, fish that can jump out of the water to eat bugs, and, of course, anacondas. —Jeri Clausing, AFAR Media, 21 Oct. 2025

Expect a machete master class, fishing techniques, and jungle cooking that includes the aforementioned piranha and caiman. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2025

The company’s aim to dominate the satellite industry is underlined in its conference rooms, all named after apex predators: caiman, orca, hawk. —Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

The Amazon The Amazon is home to over three million species of wildlife, including the famous pink river dolphin, tree frogs, spider monkeys, macaws, and anacondas—alongside diverse fish species and reptiles, like piranhas and caimans. —Emmanuel Burgio, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 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