igloo

noun

ig·​loo ˈi-(ˌ)glü How to pronounce igloo (audio)
plural igloos
1
: a usually dome-shaped dwelling of arctic regions that is usually made of blocks of snow or ice when built for temporary purposes or of sod, wood, or stone when permanent and that is typically associated with the indigenous Inuit, Inupiat, and Yupik peoples of Canada, Greenland, Alaska, and eastern Siberia
2
: a building or structure shaped like a dome

Illustration of igloo

Illustration of igloo
  • igloo 1

Examples of igloo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As Taylor talked, his cousin cut snow blocks for an igloo while Taylor's 14-year-old daughter showed us how to skin a beaver. Sophy Roberts, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Feb. 2024 And the range is wide: igloo, electric, raft, infrared, wood-burning, and traditional smoke saunas, to name a few. Lisa Lucas, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024 Founder Greg Harms even referred to his followers as crackheads because of their unquenchable desire to chase virgin snow and rip big lines, and many would have been willing to overnight in igloos for the opportunity to pursue untouched powder with him. Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 3 Feb. 2024 Among other holiday fun, the hotel’s beach-side igloos are also returning. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2023 But if you’d rather be surrounded by the elements and picnic outdoors, Ison suggests springing for a heated tent or igloo to keep your guests nice and toasty. Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2024 Reserve an igloo and settle into cushioned sofas and chairs with a bottle of bubbles. Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 The igloos are available by reservation for only four nights this month: Friday, Saturday and Dec. 15 and 16. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2023 Roads are open 6-10 p.m. What else to do: Grab a hot cocktail and make some s’mores on the roof at the Godfrey Hotel, which transforms into a (heated) winter wonderland of igloos and firepits. Anna Borges, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'igloo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Inuit iglu house

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of igloo was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near igloo

Cite this Entry

“Igloo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/igloo. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

igloo

noun
ig·​loo ˈig-lü How to pronounce igloo (audio)
plural igloos
: an Inuit house usually made of wood, sod, or stone when permanent or of blocks of snow or ice in the form of a dome when built for temporary use

More from Merriam-Webster on igloo

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