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 anchor indicates the amphibious nature of Marines’ duties. —Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025

Operation Neptune, as it is also known, was the largest amphibious invasion in history, marking a major turning point in the war. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025

China’s military has created new robotic combat systems for amphibious landings. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025

In August, Washington launched a major deployment in the southern Caribbean, forming a Joint Task Force that included three destroyers equipped for air, anti-submarine, and missile defense missions, plus an amphibious group of about 4,500 troops. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 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"