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

Related article China launches new amphibious assault ship in a race to rival US military Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs expert, told nationalist tabloid the Global Times that the PLA Navy will increasingly conduct exercises not only near China’s shores but also in international waters. —Nectar Gan, CNN, 24 Feb. 2025

The journal Zootaxa announced that a Chel snakehead, also known as Channa amphibious, was rediscovered after it was presumed to be extinct. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025

The navy deployed the amphibious transport ship HNLMS. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025

According to the company, the Polaris is a clean-sheet, hybrid-electric amphibious seaplane with a 59-ft (18-m) wingspan and take-off weight of 12,500 lb (5,670 kg). —New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2025

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"