amphibian
noun
am·phib·i·an
am-ˈfi-bē-ən 
1
: an amphibious organism
especially
: any of a class (Amphibia) of cold-blooded vertebrates (such as frogs, toads, or salamanders) intermediate in many characters between fish and reptiles and having gilled aquatic larvae and air-breathing adults
Unlike reptiles, most amphibians possess a smooth, moist skin and lay their shell-less eggs in water or wet places. —
Jeffrey P. Cohn
Jeffrey P. Cohn 2
: an amphibious vehicle
especially
: an airplane designed to take off from and land on either land or water
amphibian
adjective
Examples of amphibian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles (cold-blooded animals) and shellfish are permitted.
—Peter Burke, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Fossil evidence shows that this area was home to numerous tetrapods, small four-limbed vertebrates that include today’s living amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2025
The snake is mildly venomous and primarily eats amphibians and lizards, according to Ralbovsky.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2025
The ongoing decline of birds signals a broader crisis in the natural world already documented in global losses in insects, amphibians, and other wildlife.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for amphibian
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Peter Burke, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Fossil evidence shows that this area was home to numerous tetrapods, small four-limbed vertebrates that include today’s living amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2025
The snake is mildly venomous and primarily eats amphibians and lizards, according to Ralbovsky.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2025
The ongoing decline of birds signals a broader crisis in the natural world already documented in global losses in insects, amphibians, and other wildlife.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for amphibian
Cite this Entry
“Amphibian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amphibian. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
amphibian
noun
am·phib·i·an
am-ˈfib-ē-ən
1
: any organism that is able to live both on land and in water
especially
: any of a class of cold-blooded vertebrate animals (as frogs and salamanders) that in many respects are between fishes and reptiles
2
: an airplane designed to take off from and land on either land or water
amphibian
adjective
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