hellbender

noun

hell·​ben·​der ˈhel-ˌben-dər How to pronounce hellbender (audio)
: a large aquatic usually brownish-gray salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) of streams of the eastern and central U.S.

Illustration of hellbender

Illustration of hellbender

Examples of hellbender in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
This creek is one of the country’s last hellbender strongholds. Benji Jones, Vox, 18 June 2024 The event's name refers to the eastern hellbenders, North America's largest salamander species, which are native to the Ohio River. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 24 July 2024 The challenge that morning was that hellbenders look exactly like rocks. Benji Jones, Vox, 18 June 2024 There’s arguably no better example of the wonder in Appalachia than hellbenders. Benji Jones, Vox, 18 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for hellbender 

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hellbender was in 1812

Dictionary Entries Near hellbender

Cite this Entry

“Hellbender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hellbender. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

hellbender

noun
hell·​ben·​der ˈhel-ˌben-dər How to pronounce hellbender (audio)
: a large water-dwelling salamander of streams of the eastern and central U.S.

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