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

The Republican vice president and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are visiting Camp Pendleton in North San Diego County to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary, and troops will put on a show of amphibious vehicles and aircraft with a beach landing demonstration. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025

The demonstration featured live artillery fire from M777 Howitzers, amphibious vehicle maneuvers, and simulated explosives at Red Beach within Camp Pendleton. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025

About three dozen protesters also showed up outside the main gate at Camp Pendleton, where Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth watched an amphibious assault demonstration to celebrate the Marines’ 250th birthday. —Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2025

Many of those featured in the series are cryptids, creatures whose existence is disputed and often possess preternatural — meaning extraordinary — abilities, such as the Himalayan yeti or Australia’s amphibious bunyip. —Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Oct. 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"