salamander
noun
sal·a·man·der
ˈsa-lə-ˌman-dər 
also ˌsa-lə-ˈman-
1
: a mythical animal having the power to endure fire without harm
2
: an elemental being in the theory of Paracelsus inhabiting fire
3
: any of numerous amphibians (order Caudata or Urodela) superficially resembling lizards but scaleless and covered with a soft moist skin and breathing by gills in the larval stage
4
: an article used in connection with fire: such as
a
: a cooking utensil for browning a food (such as pastry or pudding)
b
: a portable stove
c
: a cooking device with an overhead heat source like a broiler
5
: a mass of unfused material (such as metallic iron or partially reduced ore) in the hearth of a blast furnace
6
: the pocket gophers (genus Geomys) of the southeastern U.S.
Examples of salamander in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The salamanders could hide in the bags, which researchers would periodically check.
—
Miami Herald, 31 July 2025
Despite the city’s reputation as a concrete jungle, these dusky salamanders have managed to survive in some rocky, hidden corners of Highbridge Park for decades.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 30 July 2025
The ancient salamander filled a niche that geologists had been after for years, marking the transition of the first animals from water to land.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 4 July 2025
Because salamanders can’t scale these walls, those on opposite sides became isolated from each other and unable to pass genes back and forth.
—Elizabeth Carlen, The Conversation, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for salamander
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Miami Herald, 31 July 2025
Despite the city’s reputation as a concrete jungle, these dusky salamanders have managed to survive in some rocky, hidden corners of Highbridge Park for decades.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 30 July 2025
The ancient salamander filled a niche that geologists had been after for years, marking the transition of the first animals from water to land.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 4 July 2025
Because salamanders can’t scale these walls, those on opposite sides became isolated from each other and unable to pass genes back and forth.
—Elizabeth Carlen, The Conversation, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for salamander
Cite this Entry
“Salamander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salamander. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
salamander
noun
sal·a·man·der
ˈsal-ə-ˌman-dər
1
: an imaginary creature not harmed by fire
2
: any of an order of amphibians that are covered with scaleless usually smooth moist skin and look like lizards
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