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
Even the golf ball-stealing alligator, Morris, has passed on.
—
Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
Some of the floral arrangements depicted the wave wall along Fort Lauderdale beach, the guitar hotel at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and alligators, manatees and sea turtles.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve gives visitors the opportunity to explore a 3,400-acre wetland ecosystem crawling with native critters like otters, turtles, alligators, and wading birds.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 July 2025
At the top of most of those visitors’ wish lists is catching a glimpse—or better still, snapping a photo—of a grizzly bear, bison, bald eagle, alligator, moose, or other iconic species.
—Ruffin Prevost, AFAR Media, 18 July 2025
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Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
Some of the floral arrangements depicted the wave wall along Fort Lauderdale beach, the guitar hotel at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and alligators, manatees and sea turtles.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve gives visitors the opportunity to explore a 3,400-acre wetland ecosystem crawling with native critters like otters, turtles, alligators, and wading birds.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 July 2025
At the top of most of those visitors’ wish lists is catching a glimpse—or better still, snapping a photo—of a grizzly bear, bison, bald eagle, alligator, moose, or other iconic species.
—Ruffin Prevost, AFAR Media, 18 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 29 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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