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

Bitter Guana Cay in the Bahamas is home to the rare Exuma Island iguana, a nearly extinct species found nowhere else in the world. —Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026

Twenty-seven hiking trails thread through volcanic jungle, some self-guided, others led by staff who know every endemic plant and resident iguana by approximate biography. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026

And while iguanas can grow large, no native or commonly seen lizard in Florida approaches the Nile monitor’s size and strength. —Sergio Candido, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026

And while iguanas can grow large, no native or commonly seen lizard in Florida approaches the Nile monitor's size and strength. —Sergio Candido, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026

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