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

On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 American, British and Canadian soldiers arrived on a 50-mile stretch of France’s coastline in what was the largest amphibious attack in history. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024

The roughly one-minute video shows fighter jets, warships and amphibious assault vessels in the air and at sea, and mobile missile launchers being moved into place. —Wayne Chang, CNN, 14 Oct. 2024

The Russian missile Gerasimov was referring to took place this week in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, where the U.S. Navy has three amphibious ships and destroyers that provide missile defense for Israel. —Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

Naval fusion China has also made rapid progress on the construction of the world’s largest amphibious assault ship, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. —Edward Szekeres and Brad Lendon, CNN, 1 Nov. 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"