amphibious

adjective

am·​phib·​i·​ous am-ˈfi-bē-əs 

1

: combining two characteristics

2

a

: relating to or adapted for both land and water

amphibious vehicles

b

: executed by coordinated action of land, sea, and air forces organized for invasion

an amphibious landing

also : trained or organized for such action

amphibious forces

3

: able to live both on land and in water

amphibious plants

amphibiously adverb

amphibiousness noun

Examples of amphibious in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are also two destroyers and the Marine amphibious ready group -- which includes three ships -- in the Mediterranean Sea. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024

Well, British adventurer Ben Kilner recently canoed the trip in one direction then triked it in the other, using the same amphibious vehicle for both legs of the journey. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2024

Sheriff's deputies used rafts, boats and amphibious vehicles to rescue 135 people from an assisted living home in Hillsborough County yesterday. —NBC News, 12 Oct. 2024

Construction of the Block V version of the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, which would be critical for attacking Chinese amphibious ships in the event of war, is at least two years behind schedule for similar reasons. —Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin amphibius "living both on land and in water" (borrowed from Greek amphíbios "living a double life, living both on land and in the water," from amphi- amphi- + -bios "having such a mode of life," derivative of bíos "life") + -ous — more at quick entry 1

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

amphibious

adjective

am·​phib·​i·​ous am-ˈfib-ē-əs 

1

: able to live both on land and in water

amphibious plants

2

a

: designed for use on both land and water

amphibious vehicles

b

: carried out by land, sea, and air forces acting together

an amphibious assault

amphibiously adverb

amphibiousness noun

Etymology

from Greek amphibios "living a double life," from amphi- "around, on both sides" and bios "mode of life"