caiman
Americannoun
plural
caimansnoun
Etymology
Origin of caiman
First recorded in 1570–80; from Spanish caimán, from Carib
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What the scientists are not able to prove conclusively is whether this particular, unfortunate terror bird was killed in the attack, or if the caiman scavenged its remains.
From BBC • Jul. 22, 2025
All of the hides were from caiman and pythons bred in captivity.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 22, 2024
The costumes of the cachaceros, representing Africans, are phantasmagoric confections of old jaguar pelts, caiman skulls and peccary teeth.
From New York Times • Jan. 16, 2024
The park, known locally as the Lakes, contained the amount of water needed for the caiman, whose natural habitats largely consist of swamps and marshes.
From Washington Times • Mar. 9, 2023
Under one of the adult caiman’s rear legs, a baby caiman hatches from its egg, and to the left is a coral snake egg.
From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
