crocodilian

American  

[krok-uh-dil-ee-uhn] / ˌkrɒk əˈdɪl i ən /

noun

1. any reptile of the order Crocodylia, comprising the true crocodiles and the alligators, caimans, and gavials.

---

adjective

1. of, like, or pertaining to a crocodile.

2. hypocritical; insincere.

crocodilian British  

/ ˌkrɒkəˈdɪlɪən /

noun

1. any large predatory reptile of the order Crocodilia, which includes the crocodiles, alligators, and caymans. They live in or near water and have a long broad snout, powerful jaws, a four-chambered heart, and socketed teeth

---

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Crocodilia

2. of, relating to, or resembling a crocodile

crocodilian Scientific  

/ krŏk′ə-dĭl′ē-ən /

1. Any of various semiaquatic reptiles of the order Crocodilia, including the alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and gavials. Crocodilians are squat, massive, and lizardlike, with long, powerful jaws, long, heavy tails, short legs, and thick, plated skin. Like dinosaurs, crocodilians are archosaurs, and their closest modern relatives are the birds.

---

Etymology

Origin of crocodilian

crocodile + -ian; crocodilian defs. 1, 2 were first recorded in 1835–40 and crocodilian def. 3 in 1625–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crocodilian

He recalls uncovering an unusual crocodilian jaw fragment in 1975 in the Texas Caves of southeastern Queensland.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 15, 2025

This new analysis of the marks revealed that they most closely match an extinct caiman species called Purussaurus neivensis, a crocodilian that would have been up to five metres long.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2025

From Herculano-Houzel's perspective, it is both inaccurate and unfair to lump in the T. rex with its distant crocodilian relatives, regardless of the qualification that they would have been "smart" crocodiles.

From Salon ● May 4, 2024

Bite marks left on bones can fossilize quite clearly, and once the team started searching for such marks in earnest they found distinct imprints of crocodilian teeth on Dakota’s bones.

From Scientific American ● Oct. 14, 2022

One hissing call he uttered as they struck him, and then with all his strength Lanier had grasped the crocodilian body and bent it backward.

From Astounding Stories, April, 1931 by Various