Komodo dragon

American  

[kuh-moh-doh] / kəˈmoʊ doʊ /

noun

1. a monitor lizard, Varanus komodoensis, of certain Indonesian islands E of Java, that grows to a length of 10 feet (3 meters): the largest lizard in the world; now rare.

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Komodo dragon British  

/ kəˈməʊdəʊ /

noun

1. the largest monitor lizard, Varanus komodoensis, of Komodo and other East Indian islands: grows to a length of 3 m (about 10 ft) and a weight of 135 kilograms (about 300 lbs.)

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Etymology

Origin of Komodo dragon

First recorded in 1925–30; named after Komodo, Indonesian island, its principal range

Example Sentences

The Komodo dragon kills prey with a combination of nasty venom and lacerating teeth that dispatch that venom speedily into the victim's flesh.

From National Geographic • Feb. 7, 2024

Still, “we’re not talking kissy lips,” he pointed out — they’d be thin and scaly like those of the Komodo dragon, a large lizard.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 30, 2023

“Today is appreciate a dragon day,” the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute noted Monday in a tweet. “so let’s show some love to our Komodo dragon friends!”

From Washington Post • Jan. 16, 2023

Also, Robert and Chandler catch some waves before taking a road trip to pick up a new Komodo dragon in this new episode of the unscripted series.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2022

He was taller than the siege tower—thirty feet, at least—with scaly reptilian legs like a Komodo dragon from the waist down and green-blue armor from the waist up.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan