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

The waters surrounding the lodge are densely occupied by black caimans who float about peacefully and sometimes enjoy a rest underneath the floorboards of the lodge. —Jamie Ditaranto, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2024

In addition to the primates and bats, the museum holds exquisite fossils of fish, caimans, giant turtles, plants, dolphins, birds, and amphibians. —Byrodrigo Pérez Ortega, science.org, 17 July 2024

The area is home to thousands of endangered or unusual species, including jaguars, capybaras, black caimans, giant otters and hyacinth macaws. —Aditi Sangal, CNN, 14 June 2024

The same goes for crocodiles, caimans, any wild cat species like bobcats and lynxes, any wolves or wolf/dog hybrids, or native wild animals like raccoons, skunks and foxes. —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish caimán, probably from Carib caymán

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

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