iguana

noun

igua·​na i-ˈgwä-nə How to pronounce iguana (audio)
: any of various large chiefly herbivorous usually green or brownish tropical American lizards (family Iguanidae, the iguana family) that have a serrated dorsal crest and large dewlap
broadly : any of various large lizards

Illustration of iguana

Illustration of iguana

Examples of iguana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With tegus, iguana, and several species of semi-aquatic monitors, Florida is under a big-lizard invasion. Alan Clemons, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025 The coldest air of the season is expected across Florida on Saturday morning with even the potential for falling iguanas! Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025 Buyers will find small tiger and iguana graphics on the windows of the rear doors. Scotty Reiss, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025 Immobilized iguanas appear to be sleeping or dead but will wake up and move normally when temperatures warm. Stephen J. Beard, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for iguana

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Arawak & Carib iwana

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of iguana was in 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Iguana.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iguana. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

iguana

noun
igua·​na i-ˈgwän-ə How to pronounce iguana (audio)
: any of various large plant-eating tropical American lizards that have a ridge of tall scales along the middle of the back and loose skin hanging below the neck

More from Merriam-Webster on iguana

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!