salamander

noun

sal·​a·​man·​der ˈsa-lə-ˌman-dər 

 also  ˌsa-lə-ˈman-

1

: a mythical animal having the power to endure fire without harm

2

: an elemental being in the theory of Paracelsus inhabiting fire

3

: any of numerous amphibians (order Caudata or Urodela) superficially resembling lizards but scaleless and covered with a soft moist skin and breathing by gills in the larval stage

4

: an article used in connection with fire: such as

a

: a cooking utensil for browning a food (such as pastry or pudding)

b

: a portable stove

c

: a cooking device with an overhead heat source like a broiler

5

: a mass of unfused material (such as metallic iron or partially reduced ore) in the hearth of a blast furnace

6

: the pocket gophers (genus Geomys) of the southeastern U.S.

salamandrine

ˌsa-lə-ˈman-drən 

adjective

Examples of salamander in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Turtles, toads, salamanders, and birds also use leaves for food, shelter, or nesting material. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2025

These salamanders are part of a decade-long statewide effort in Ohio to reverse the decline of freshwater animal populations. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025

Chameleons live in warmer environments on trees or bushes, while salamanders thrive in moist habitats, including leaf litter and caves. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025

That chemical seeps into groundwater, which can kill native amphibians like frogs and salamanders. —Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English salamandre "a reptile believed to live in fire," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin salamandra, borrowed from Greek salamándra, probably of pre-Greek substratal origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing salamander

• spotted salamander
• tiger salamander

Rhymes for salamander

• coriander
• oleander
• brander
• candor
• dander
• gander
• grander
• hander
• laender
• lander
• pander
• sander

Kids Definition

salamander

noun

sal·​a·​man·​der ˈsal-ə-ˌman-dər 

1

: an imaginary creature not harmed by fire

2

: any of an order of amphibians that are covered with scaleless usually smooth moist skin and look like lizards