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Definition of alligator gar

alligator gar

Plural:alligator gars
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alligator gar Lexical Profile

• noun

1

North American A large, carnivorous, primitive ray-finned fish native to the fresh and brackish waters of the southern United States and Mexico, distinguished by its heavily armored body of ganoid scales and an elongated, broad snout resembling that of an alligator.

Example

"Biologists carefully tagged the massive alligator gar before releasing it back into the Trinity River ecosystem."

Word Origin & Etymology

Named for its physical resemblance to the American alligator, specifically possessing a broad, elongated snout and large teeth. The word 'gar' derives from the Old English 'gār' meaning 'spear', referring to the elongated body shape typical of the family.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Alligator gar. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/alligator gar
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