crocodilian

noun

croc·​o·​dil·​ian ˌkrä-kə-ˈdil-yən How to pronounce crocodilian (audio)
-ˈdi-lē-ən
: any of an order (Crocodylia) of reptiles including the crocodiles, alligators, caimans, gharials, and related extinct forms
crocodilian adjective

Examples of crocodilian 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.
At one point, crocodilians lived in Alaska. — Elizabeth Preston, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025 The contrast with modern crocodilians is jarring. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2026 The earliest alligators were far smaller than other crocodilians that lived at the same time, the team found. — Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025 There are around 800 alligators at the farm and 24 species of crocodilians overall in the park. — Mark Price, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crocodilian

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crocodilian was in 1837

Rhymes for crocodilian

See All Rhymes for crocodilian

Browse Nearby Words

Crocodilia
crocodilian
Crocodilidae
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crocodilian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crocodilian. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

crocodilian

noun
croc·​o·​dil·​ian ˌkräk-ə-ˈdil-ē-ən How to pronounce crocodilian (audio)
-ˈdil-yən
: any of an order of reptiles that includes the crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and related extinct forms
crocodilian adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on crocodilian

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crocodilian

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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