First Known Use: 1835
Dictionary
amphibian
noun am·phib·i·an \-bē-ən\
: an animal (such as a frog or toad) that can live both on land and in water
: an airplane or vehicle that can be used both on land and water
Full Definition of AMPHIBIAN
1
: an amphibious organism; especially : any of a class (Amphibia) of cold-blooded vertebrates (as frogs, toads, or salamanders) intermediate in many characters between fishes and reptiles and having gilled aquatic larvae and air-breathing adults
2
: an amphibious vehicle; especially : an airplane designed to take off from and land on either land or water
— amphibian adjective
See amphibian defined for English-language learners
See amphibian defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of AMPHIBIAN
ultimately from Greek amphibion amphibious being, from neuter of amphibios
AMPHIBIAN Defined for Kids
amphibian
noun am·phib·i·an \am-ˈfi-bē-ən\
Definition of AMPHIBIAN for Kids
1
: any of a group of cold-blooded vertebrate animals (as frogs and toads) that have gills and live in water as larvae but breathe air as adults
2
: an airplane designed to take off from and land on either land or water
Learn More About AMPHIBIAN
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: amphibichnitePrevious Word in the Dictionary: amphibiaAll Words Near: amphibian
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up amphibian? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).