巨蜥是巨蜥属（Varanus）的蜥蜴，包括了所有蜥蜴中最重的科莫多龙及最长的萨氏巨蜥。牠们的最近亲是蛇蜥科及毒蜥属。

巨蜥属的学名是衍生自阿拉伯语的 「ورل」，意思是蜥蜴。

Monitor lizard is the common name of several large lizard species, comprising the genus Varanus. They are native to Africa, Asia and Oceania, but are now found also in the Americas as an invasive species. A total of 78 species are currently recognized.