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 2x Golden Globe nominee mourned the death of his alligator co-star Morris, who played the titular character’s nemesis in the 1996 golf comedy, on Wednesday with a sweet tribute to the reptilian actor on Instagram.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Investigators did not disclose the size of the alligator or a potential cause of death.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
Back in May 2024, another alligator made its way onto a busy Mobile highway and stopped traffic in the process.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 15 May 2025
Morris played the alligator responsible for biting off the hand of Happy Gilmore’s (Sandler) mentor, former golf pro Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers).
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for alligator
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.
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Investigators did not disclose the size of the alligator or a potential cause of death.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025
Back in May 2024, another alligator made its way onto a busy Mobile highway and stopped traffic in the process.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 15 May 2025
Morris played the alligator responsible for biting off the hand of Happy Gilmore’s (Sandler) mentor, former golf pro Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers).
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 15 May 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 4 Jun. 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"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share