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

Still, the igloo is big enough to easily sleep a couple with a dog or even a family of four. —Amber Hunt, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

The igloos are quite close to each other, but fences help with privacy. —Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025

Situated on the terrace of The Next Whisky Bar, each igloo can accommodate up to six guests for a rental charge and minimum per-person food and beverage fees. —Taryn White, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Ice can serve as the base of a bridge or can be packed into blocks of snow and formed into an igloo for shelter. —D. Hunter Reardon, USA Today, 4 June 2025

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