iguana

noun

igua·​na i-ˈgwä-nə 

: 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

Examples of iguana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Izquierdo's first bite was loaded with iguana meat. —Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026

The iguana meat was later fried in a pan. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026

Once upon a time, rock iguanas, which can live up to 70 years old, thrived across the 40-island archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. —Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026

Florida removes more than 5,000 invasive green iguanas after extreme cold The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported that, with the help of citizens, partners and agency staff, 5,195 invasive green iguanas were removed during the extreme cold event. —Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Arawak & Carib iwana

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing iguana

• marine iguana

Rhymes for iguana

• asana
• chicana
• liana
• madonna
• maulana
• nirvana
• purana
• sadhana
• ana
• bwana
• dhyana
• donna

Kids Definition

iguana

noun

igua·​na i-ˈgwän-ə 

: 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