iguana

American  

[ih-gwah-nuh] / ɪˈgwɑ nə /

noun

1. a large, arboreal lizard, Iguana iguana, native to Central and South America, having stout legs and a crest of spines from neck to tail.

2. any of various related lizards of the genera Iguana, Ctenosaura, Conolophus, and Amblyrhynchus.

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iguana British  

/ ɪˈɡwɑːnə /

noun

1. either of two large tropical American arboreal herbivorous lizards of the genus Iguana, esp I. iguana ( common iguana ), having a greyish-green body with a row of spines along the back: family Iguanidae

2. Also called: iguanid.  any other lizard of the tropical American family Iguanidae

3. another name for leguaan

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Other Word Forms

• iguanian noun

Etymology

Origin of iguana

1545–55; < Spanish < Arawak iwana

Example Sentences

But it feels like there’s a fussy iguana in there.

From Literature

Spanish police announced on Saturday they had raided a unlicensed animal sanctuary and rescued hundreds of exotic creatures including leopard tortoises, iguanas and geckos.

From Barron's

Over the years, he shared cooking recipes for alligator, iguana, frog legs, smoked duck and a variety of other dishes.

From Los Angeles Times

The second season, which premieres Tuesday, is called “Lost in the Jungle,” and it follows the journeys of an opossum, an iguana and a jumping spider in the Central American rainforest.

From Los Angeles Times

Discussing unmade films and dealing with an unruly pet iguana, Panahi renders an illuminating self-portrait.

From Los Angeles Times