crocodilian

[ krok-uh-dil-ee-uhn ]

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

/ 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

/ 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of crocodilian¹

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

Example Sentences

A study published last year in Science Advances looks at Archosaurs, the group that includes birds, crocodilians and their dinosaur ancestors, providing some evidence about this.

From Salon

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

Kuehneosaurs looked like lizards, but were more closely related to the ancestors of crocodilians and dinosaurs.

From Science Daily

When, how, and why crocodilians evolved to grow so slowly has eluded researchers for years.

From Science Daily

"This new evidence offers tantalizing insights into the possible reproductive capabilities of extinct archosaurian relatives of crocodilians, notably the Pterosauria and Dinosauria," the researchers stated.

From Salon