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

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

From Monday to Tuesday, seven Chinese warships—two Type 052D destroyers, two Type 054A frigates, one Type 075 amphibious assault ship, one Type 071 amphibious transport dock, and one Type 903 replenishment ship—transited the Miyako Strait southeastward. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025

Last year, China launched a new type of amphibious troop carrier, which appears designed for a military assault of the island. —Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025

In 2020, the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard caught fire and burned for more than four days. —Ziva Branstetter, ProPublica, 29 Jan. 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"