igloo

noun

ig·​loo ˈi-(ˌ)glü 

plural igloos

1

: a usually dome-shaped dwelling of arctic regions that is usually made of blocks of snow or ice when built for temporary purposes or of sod, wood, or stone when permanent and that is typically associated with the indigenous Inuit, Inupiat, and Yupik peoples of Canada, Greenland, Alaska, and eastern Siberia

2

: a building or structure shaped like a dome

Illustration of igloo

• igloo 1

Examples of igloo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sapporo’s Yuki Matsuri boasts an international snow sculpture contest, ice slides, and frozen mazes for kids while the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival transforms the castle grounds into a snowy oasis lined with hundreds of snow lanterns and igloos. —Anna Mazurek, AFAR Media, 16 Dec. 2024

Arctic Aurora at Park Cafe When: Now - Jan. 27, 2025 Where: Park Cafe, 4403 Murphy Road Escape the cold and cozy up inside private, heated igloos at Park Cafe's Arctic Aurora. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 11 Dec. 2024

The vibe: Merchant and Trade's heated igloo fits up to 10 people. —Laura Barrero, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024

The donut boats and euro igloos include hot chocolate. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Inuit iglu house

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

igloo

noun

ig·​loo ˈig-lü 

plural igloos

: an Inuit house usually made of wood, sod, or stone when permanent or of blocks of snow or ice in the form of a dome when built for temporary use