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

Clear tours to see the diverse wildlife, including rock iguanas, giant tortoises, lemurs, and cockatoos. —AFAR Media, 23 May 2025

Back at headquarters, meet adopted and rescued reptiles such as turtles, iguanas and a 1,000-pound gator named Cannibal, and pet a baby alligator. —Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025

Rare Fijian iguanas, rescued from wildlife traffickers in Spain, arrive at San Diego Zoo. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025

Younger children can splash at an extended shallow area of the pool, while older children can swim to the infinity edge and sometimes catch a visiting iguana. —Margaux Lushing, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 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