caiman

[ key-muhn ]

noun

, plural cai·mans.

1. any of several tropical American crocodilians of the genus Caiman and allied genera: some are endangered.

caiman

/ ˈkeɪmən /

noun

1. a variant spelling of cayman

Word History and Origins

Origin of caiman¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Spanish caimán, from Carib

Example Sentences

Ash said he and the team bathed in the river at night with electric eel, caiman, sting rays, giant river otters and piranha.

From BBC

Karine Aigner spotted a yellow anaconda coiled around the snout of a yacaré caiman while leading a tour group.

From BBC

Kneeling in the boat, he was in the perfect position when the cat delivered the skull-crushing bite to the unsuspecting yacare caiman.

From BBC

All of the hides were from caiman and pythons bred in captivity.

From Seattle Times

The costumes of the cachaceros, representing Africans, are phantasmagoric confections of old jaguar pelts, caiman skulls and peccary teeth.

From New York Times