goanna

[ goh-an-uh ]

noun

1. any of the several large monitor lizards of the family Varanidae, of Australia, especially Varanus varius and V. giganteus, both sometimes growing to 6 feet (1.8 meters).

goanna

/ ɡəʊˈænə /

noun

1. any of various Australian monitor lizards
2. slang.
   a piano

Word History and Origins

Origin of goanna¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; aphetic form of iguana

Word History and Origins

Origin of goanna¹

C19: sense 1 changed from iguana ; sense 2 from rhyming slang pianna

Example Sentences

At control sites which did not introduce the small 'taster toads' before the larger, highly poisonous adult cane toads arrived, goanna populations plummeted by up to 94 per cent.

From Science Daily

However, at sites where taste aversion was trialled, goanna populations ranged from 35 per cent to 140 per cent of pre-invasion levels by the time the study finished.

From Science Daily

"In parts of the Kimberley there can be five different language words associated with a goanna burrow, for example -- nesting burrows, night-time burrows and so on, so when that species disappears from the landscape, it's more difficult to practice those aspects of your culture."

From Science Daily

"By managing the initial impact of the invasion, we see ongoing survival of goanna populations because after cane toads invade and begin breeding, plenty of baby toads will "train" the next generation of goannas, without us having to keep adding more toads to the system."

From Science Daily

"The price today or even in the near term isn't really his focus, the focus is where's the price goanna be in the in the future."

From Reuters