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- 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 occasional alligator blunders onto the highway.
—
Ben Goldfarb, Vox, 14 Mar. 2025
Fried alligator bites and alligator sauce piquant are other popular choices, Cook said.
—Peter Burke, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Look for tree frogs, river otters, blue herons, and alligators from a winding boardwalk trail.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025
Florida has a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program that helps homeowners with threatening alligators.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
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Ben Goldfarb, Vox, 14 Mar. 2025
Fried alligator bites and alligator sauce piquant are other popular choices, Cook said.
—Peter Burke, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Look for tree frogs, river otters, blue herons, and alligators from a winding boardwalk trail.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025
Florida has a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program that helps homeowners with threatening alligators.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alligator
Articles Related to alligator
Cite this Entry
“Alligator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alligator. Accessed 25 Mar. 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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