Alligator meaning : Either of two species of large amphibious reptile, Alligator mississippiensis or Alligator sinensis, in the genus Alligator within order Crocodilia, which have sharp teeth and very strong jaws and are native to the Americas and China, respectively. Dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) Any of various machines with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator. Any of various vehicles that have relatively long, low noses in front of a cab or other, usually windowed, structure. (of paint or other coatings) To crack in a pattern resembling an alligator's skin. Used in a common chronometric counting scheme, in which each iteration is sequentially numbered and supposed to be approximately one second in length.