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

The resort has teamed up with local partners like Pieces of 8 boat tours to offer guests day trips to the Bahamas' out islands of Exuma and Eleuthera– where visitors can swim with pigs or feed iguanas in their natural habitat. —Kristin Braswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026

But iguanas are no joke, Kennamer said. —Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026

The three-quarter mile beach is found between Little Water Cay and Water Cay, and the iguanas are known to come out onto the dunes. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026

The success of the lizard Love Island at Prickly Pear East has paved the way for a second reintroduction site for Lesser Antillean iguanas. —Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 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