alligator

noun

al·​li·​ga·​tor ˈa-lə-ˌgā-tər How to pronounce alligator (audio)
Synonyms of alligatornext
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

Illustration of alligator
  • alligator 1

Examples of alligator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Perla restaurant takes on the feat of contemporary-meets-old school Cuban cuisine using ingredients like yuca, malanga, alligator, beef, and pork to recreate ancient recipes with a modern twist. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026 Tegu These fat, speckled lizards hail from Argentina and arrived in Florida with a hunger for eggs— alligator, turtle, tortoise and bird alike. — Alex Harris august 25, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 Officers searched across the shoreline for the alligator but couldn’t find the animal, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was also notified, WRDW stated. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 The alligator did not attack the other swimmers, police said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alligator

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of alligator was in 1591

Phrases Containing alligator

Rhymes for alligator

See All Rhymes for alligator

Browse Nearby Words

allies
alligator
alligator apple
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Cite this Entry

“Alligator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alligator. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

alligator

noun
al·​li·​ga·​tor ˈal-ə-ˌgāt-ər How to pronounce alligator (audio)
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"

More from Merriam-Webster on alligator

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for alligator

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alligator

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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