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Definition of crocodile
1a : any of several large carnivorous thick-skinned long-bodied aquatic reptiles (family Crocodylidae) of tropical and subtropical waters; broadly : crocodilianb : the skin or hide of a crocodile
2 chiefly British : a line of people (such as schoolchildren) usually walking in pairs
People Are Reading
Recent Examples of crocodile from the Web
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A giant crocodile with teeth like a T-Rex was a top predator during the Jurassic period, researchers found in a recent study.
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If Nile crocodiles disappeared from Lake Nasser, the environment would suffer.
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In 2017, PETA was back at it, with underwear-clad activists wearing crocodile masks and signs shaped like Hermès Birkin bags protesting outside LFW this past February.
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The fresh carcasses, which accumulate at bends and in the shallows, feed crocodiles and provide up to 50% of the diet of local fish.
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Natural history documentaries like to show crocodiles killing the wildebeest, but being cold-blooded, crocs have small appetites and are easily sated.
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Too Slowly for President Trump And something about crocodiles.
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A new tyrannosaur with evidence with evidence for anagenesis and crocodile-like facial sensory system.
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To put one's head inside the crocodile's mouth isn't bold, but foolish.
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.
Illustration of crocodile
Origin and Etymology of crocodile
Middle English & Latin; Middle English cocodrille, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin cocodrillus, alteration of Latin crocodilus, from Greek krokodilos lizard, crocodile, from krokē shingle, pebble + drilos worm; akin to Sanskrit śarkara pebble
CROCODILE Defined for English Language Learners
crocodile
playDefinition of crocodile for English Language Learners
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: a large reptile that has a long body, thick skin, and a long, thin mouth with sharp teeth and that lives in the water in regions with hot weather
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: the skin of the crocodile used for making shoes and others products
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: a line of people and especially of schoolchildren who are walking in pairs
CROCODILE Defined for Kids
crocodile
playDefinition of crocodile for Students
: a reptile that resembles the related alligator but that has a long narrow snout
History for crocodile
The word crocodile is taken from Greek krokodeilos, which is probably a compound of krokē, “pebble, stone,” and a rare word drilos, which may mean “worm.” According to the ancient Greek writer Herodotus, some Greeks gave this name to the lizards that lived among the stone walls of their farms. When these Greeks visited Egypt, the enormous reptiles of the Nile River reminded them of the lizards and they applied the same name to them.
Learn More about crocodile
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See words that rhyme with crocodile Spanish Central: Translation of crocodile Nglish: Translation of crocodile for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of crocodile for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crocodile
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