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.

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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

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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.

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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

It's known as a marine crocodile, but it's more accurately a thalattosuchian rather than a true crocodilian.

From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026

Dr. David Schwimmer, a leading authority on the massive North American crocodilian genus Deinosuchus and a geology professor at Columbus State University, has helped bring a prehistoric giant back to life.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 15, 2026

They found that the alligator, a crocodilian, was unable to really grasp advanced visual perspective taking.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2024

In Mesoamerican myth, the ancient monster Cipactli, part crocodilian, part fish or toad, floats in primeval waters, like the Hindu snake of residue, Sheshanaga.

From New York Times ● Feb. 16, 2023

O what a crocodilian world is this, Compos’d of treachries and ensnaring wiles!

From Folk-lore of Shakespeare by Thomas Firminger Thiselton-Dyer