Definition of "caiman" in English

noun

1. (strictly) Any of the relatively small crocodilians of the genus Caiman, within the family Alligatoridae.

   • 2002, International Wildlife Encyclopedia: Brown bear - Cheetah, 3rd Edition, page 358, The caimans are found in South America, mainly in the Amazon basin, with one species extending into the southern part of Mexico and another reaching northern parts of Argentina.

2. (loosely) A crocodilian of the subfamily Caimaninae, which includes the very large black caiman.

3. A semi-aquatic lizard, of the genus Dracaena, found in South America. To differentiate from caimans, they are referred to as caiman lizards.