igloo

[ ig-loo ]

noun

, plural ig·loos.

1. an Inuit house, being a dome-shaped hut usually built of blocks of hard snow.
2. Informal. any dome-shaped construction thought to resemble an igloo:

   immense silos topped with steel igloos.

3. Military. a dome-shaped building for the storage of rockets or other munitions.
4. an excavation made by a seal in the snow over its breathing hole in the ice.

igloo

/ ˈɪɡluː /

noun

1. a dome-shaped Inuit house, usually built of blocks of solid snow
2. a hollow made by a seal in the snow over its breathing hole in the ice

Word History and Origins

Origin of igloo¹

First recorded in 1855–60, igloo is from the Inuit word iglu “house”

Word History and Origins

Origin of igloo¹

C19: from Inuktitut igdlu house

Example Sentences

The business has invested in new glass igloo huts to attract tourists year-round.

From BBC

The hedgehog hideout is a small igloo shaped hut with a wire frame, with a layer of canvas and a wicker style exterior.

From BBC

They turned their backs and continued to the pale pink igloo.

From Literature

In addition, the area included small fire pits, heated igloos, carnival games and food trucks.

From Washington Times

The capitals of the columns that support the colonnade bordering an enclosed garden don’t just feature angels and saints, but also Hopi dancers and an Inuit igloo.

From Los Angeles Times