Illustration of alligator
- alligator 1
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
Examples of alligator in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Authorities with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded soon after, and a licensed trapper removed the alligator from the waterbody and relocated it.
—
Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 25 Apr. 2024
Photos posted on MacDill AFB's Facebook page Monday morning show the big alligator resting underneath a large plane in between its tires.
—USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for alligator 
Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 25 Apr. 2024
Photos posted on MacDill AFB's Facebook page Monday morning show the big alligator resting underneath a large plane in between its tires.
—USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for alligator
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alligator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Alligator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alligator. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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"
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