amphibian
noun
am·phib·i·an
am-ˈfi-bē-ən 
1
: an amphibious organism
especially
: any of a class (Amphibia) of cold-blooded vertebrates (such as frogs, toads, or salamanders) intermediate in many characters between fish and reptiles and having gilled aquatic larvae and air-breathing adults
Unlike reptiles, most amphibians possess a smooth, moist skin and lay their shell-less eggs in water or wet places. —
Jeffrey P. Cohn
Jeffrey P. Cohn 2
: an amphibious vehicle
especially
: an airplane designed to take off from and land on either land or water
amphibian
adjective
Examples of amphibian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 1982, researchers traveling through the Ayacucho region of Peru discovered a small amphibian in the mountain coffee groves.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
The brackish waters are ideal for bald cypress trees that serve as habitat for countless birds and an array of amphibians, reptiles and mammals.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Invasive frogs and toads bully the smaller amphibians into decline.
—Alan Clemons, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025
The Fort Worth Zoo began efforts to preserve this amphibian in the 1980s.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for amphibian
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Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
The brackish waters are ideal for bald cypress trees that serve as habitat for countless birds and an array of amphibians, reptiles and mammals.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Invasive frogs and toads bully the smaller amphibians into decline.
—Alan Clemons, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025
The Fort Worth Zoo began efforts to preserve this amphibian in the 1980s.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for amphibian
Cite this Entry
“Amphibian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amphibian. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
amphibian
noun
am·phib·i·an
am-ˈfib-ē-ən
1
: any organism that is able to live both on land and in water
especially
: any of a class of cold-blooded vertebrate animals (as frogs and salamanders) that in many respects are between fishes and reptiles
2
: an airplane designed to take off from and land on either land or water
amphibian
adjective
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