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

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

Hudson and Dommek say non-Indigenous people assume all Indigenous Alaskans live in igloos and dress in furs, but that’s not typical of many, including the Iñupiat people. —Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 4 Sep. 2025

Where to stay Surrounded by 100 acres of coniferous forest in the wilderness 40 minutes outside Fairbanks, Borealis Basecamp‘s 28 fiberglass igloos are perfect for winter glamping. —Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025

In winter the outdoor space gets cozy with string lights, mini evergreen trees and heated igloos. —Jordyn Noennig, jsonline.com, 31 July 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