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
The jokes about alligators attacking immigrants while in detention have been casually tossed around by President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis and conservative and far-right influencers.
—
Raisa Habersham, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Florida’s retention ponds are known to host alligators and snakes.
—Mark Price
july 9, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
An alligator Hermès Bolide bag, The Row’s next it-bag, a rare Prada tote, and an archive Fendi doctor’s bag abound on her arm.
—Olivia Allen, Vogue, 9 July 2025
Now our cruel governor builds Alligator Alcatraz and laughs at the notion of people being killed by alligators and pythons.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for alligator
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Raisa Habersham, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Florida’s retention ponds are known to host alligators and snakes.
—Mark Price
july 9, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
An alligator Hermès Bolide bag, The Row’s next it-bag, a rare Prada tote, and an archive Fendi doctor’s bag abound on her arm.
—Olivia Allen, Vogue, 9 July 2025
Now our cruel governor builds Alligator Alcatraz and laughs at the notion of people being killed by alligators and pythons.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for alligator
Cite this Entry
“Alligator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alligator. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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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