igloo

noun

ig·​loo ˈi-(ˌ)glü 

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

• igloo 1

Examples of igloo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sustainable shelter solution While inspired by the traditional Arctic igloo, MyGlu, a portmanteau of the words mycelium and igloo, is designed for hot and dry climates where conventional building materials may be too expensive or unavailable. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2025

Also, imagine things like fashion shows or volleyball matches, or in the wintertime, maybe some of those igloos and other things. —Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025

The pub will be located in an igloo on-site, where attendees age 21 and up can grab a drink and chill by a firepit or play an outdoor game. —Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025

Birdsong plays in the background and actual igloos abound. —Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Inuit iglu house

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

igloo

noun

ig·​loo ˈig-lü 

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