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monitor lizard
noun
: any of various tropical carnivorous lizards (genus Varanus of the family Varanidae) of Australia, Asia, and Africa
Examples of monitor lizard in a Sentence
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There are no native monitor lizards in the Americas.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024
Wild monitor lizards are caught and bent backwards or burnt alive to make their genitals protrude.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024
The list includes several other kinds of monitor lizards, alligators and crocodiles, suggesting the adaptation could be widespread in reptile teeth.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 July 2024
Measuring as much as 3 meters (9.8 ft) in length and tipping the scales at up to 150 kg (330 lb), the Komodo dragon is the largest member of the monitor lizard family, and the world's largest lizard overall.
—New Atlas, 24 July 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1856, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near monitor lizard
Cite this Entry
“Monitor lizard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monitor%20lizard. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
monitor lizard
noun
: any of various large flesh-eating lizards of very warm areas in Africa, Australia, and Asia
More from Merriam-Webster on monitor lizard
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monitor lizard
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