amphibian

noun

am·​phib·​i·​an am-ˈfi-bē-ən How to pronounce amphibian (audio)
Synonyms of amphibiannext
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The species belonged to a group of amphibians known as metoposaurid temnospondyls, which were the ancestors of today’s salamanders, frogs and toads. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025 The ditch itself measured about 46 feet long and was situated near a roundhouse, suggesting that humans may have played some role in the accumulation of these amphibians. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 The smooth surface of the amphibian enabled it to pass through meter-high bushes and sparse forest. —Mike Hanlon, New Atlas, 18 Mar. 2025 Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles (cold-blooded animals) and shellfish are permitted. —Peter Burke, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amphibian

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Amphibia, taxon including frogs and salamanders (from neuter plural of amphibius amphibious) + -an entry 1

Note: As a taxon Amphibia was used as a class name already by linnaeus (Systema naturae, 10. editio, 1758, p. 196 et passim), but in a sense that included both amphibians and some reptiles. Limitation of the taxon to approximately its current meaning dates from Thomas Gray's "A Synopsis of the Genera of Reptiles and Amphibia" (Annals of Philosophy, new series vol. 10, July-December, 1825, pp.193-217) according to Darrel R. Frost, et al., "The Amphibian Tree of Life," Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, No. 297 (2006), p. 355. The use of both English amphibian and Latin amphibius with varying gender and number to refer to animals living on both land and sea (and in figurative senses) can be found much earlier.

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of amphibian was in 1749

Rhymes for amphibian

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Browse Nearby Words

amphibia
amphibian
amphibichnite
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Cite this Entry

“Amphibian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amphibian. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

amphibian

noun
am·​phib·​i·​an am-ˈfib-ē-ən How to pronounce amphibian (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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