crocodile

croc·o·dile | \ ˈkrä-kə-ˌdī(-ə)l

Definition of crocodile

1a : any of several large, carnivorous, thick-skinned, long-bodied, aquatic reptiles (family Crocodylidae and especially genus Crocodylus) of tropical and subtropical waters that have a long, tapered, V-shaped snout broadly : crocodilian

b : the skin or hide of a crocodile

2 chiefly British : a line of people (such as schoolchildren) usually walking in pairs

Examples of crocodile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In our opinion, this part of the body resembles the lower half of a lizard or crocodile. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, "Storytelling Across the Ages," 29 Dec. 2019 My father kept a small boat on Kariba for many years, setting up camp on one of the lake's deserted islands after checking for crocodiles and elephants. — Peter Browne, Condé Nast Traveler, "A Slow Safari Along Zimbabwe’s Back Roads," 20 Dec. 2019 There was a snake farm, which housed tortoises, crocodiles and poisonous snakes that were milked to produce serum from their venom. — Time, "Even Before the Wall, Berlin's Zoos Were Already Cold War Rivals," 12 Nov. 2019 Most rides require tickets, but some activities, including chats with zookeepers, cost nothing: Perfect for Halloween is the focus on crocodiles and spiders at 11:45 a.m. Friday and Sunday, in the Regenstein African Journey area. — Web Behrens, chicagotribune.com, "15 things to do in the Chicago area with the kids Oct. 21-27," 20 Oct. 2019 They also may have panted, like birds and crocodiles. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Tyrannosaurus rex had a built-in air conditioner, study says," 5 Sep. 2019 The ride vehicle for Iron Gwazi looks like a crocodile. — Orlando Sentinel Podcasts, orlandosentinel.com, "PODCAST: IAAPA Expo – Future thrill rides, tech and games that may or may not poke your eye out (Ep. 26)," 21 Nov. 2019 Munkombwe jumped into the water and realized a crocodile was pulling Muwani in, according to the report. — Fox News, "Zimbabwean girl, 11, says she wrestled crocodile, gouged out eyes to save 9-year-old friend: report," 4 Nov. 2019 According to a press release, the most recent research suggests T. Rex likely sounded like a crocodile or a heron-like bird called a bittern. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "You Can Now Smell a T. Rex’s Stinky Breath at Chicago’s Field Museum," 17 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crocodile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

14 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Crocodile.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crocodile. Accessed 23 January 2020.

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More Definitions for crocodile

crocodile

noun