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

Foster captures Charles and Camilla gazing out to sea from the island in the Galapagos, home to zero humans and 2,500 land iguanas. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2025

While in Spain, the iguanas were in the care of the Foundation for Research in Ethology and Biodiversity near Madrid. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025

Like chickens, captive iguanas are known to carry salmonella bacteria in their gut, which can spread via feces to their skin. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025

Although the iguanas and frogs are not rare species, freshwater crocodiles from Thailand are not only rare, but critically endangered. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025

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