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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Visit the Milwaukee Public Museum for some iconic Milwaukee favorite exhibits, from the Streets of Old Milwaukee to the dinosaurs to the igloo. Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 May 2022 Or, Durante points out, if Mars has more substantial stores of water, an igloo would be the perfect shield. Korey Haynes, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2019 Cedar Lakes Estate also announced a new partnership with SONA Home, bringing a unique igloo dining experience to the Hudson Valley. Jordi Lippe-mcgraw, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2023 Go ice skating, warm up in an igloo and take photos with Santa Claus at Holiday Whopla, located throughout Middletown's downtown Dora district. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 20 Dec. 2022 Each fully enclosed, see-through igloo holds up to eight people and has comfy seating, a table, and a heater. Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 30 Nov. 2022 Spending the night in an igloo in the Alps sounds pretty neat in theory, but with temperatures several degrees below that found inside a refrigerator, the reality is less than cozy. CNN, 21 Jan. 2023 Many restaurants around the state offer dining experiences in an igloo. Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Jan. 2023 On a trip two years ago, Jad built an igloo just outside the lodge's high polar-bear fence. Peter Heller, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'igloo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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 27 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

igloo

noun
ig·​loo ˈig-lü How to pronounce igloo (audio)
plural igloos
: an Eskimo 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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