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

In an Instagram post shared by Gator Country on Wednesday, Jan. 22, alligator expert Gary Saurage showed off how the large reptiles are handling the frigid temperatures in Texas this winter. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 25 Jan. 2025

At Lincoln Park, two seven-foot alligators at a zoo rode the floodwaters to freedom. —Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025

The watch comes with two alligator leather and calfskin straps. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

The platinum piece includes a black alligator leather strap and retails for over $150,000. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025

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

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"