newt

noun

ˈnüt How to pronounce newt (audio)
ˈnyüt
: any of various small salamanders (family Salamandridae) that are usually semiaquatic as adults

Illustration of newt

Illustration of newt

Examples of newt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Now, new research suggests that the toxic tango between the rough-skinned newt and its serpent predator may have a third participant: bacteria living on the newt’s skin, according to a new study published in the journal eLife. Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2020 For eternal life, harvest a dead man's toe and a newt's saliva. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 20 Apr. 2023 Grace Givertz's newt, Fig. Megan Johnson, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Jan. 2023 Snakes and Newts The garter snake has long seen newts as a food source, and the newt has long seen the garter snake as a worthy recipient of its deadly toxin. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2023 But a far less exotic creature is capable of producing enough poison to kill up to 20 people: the unassuming rough-skinned newt, with its bumpy skin and fiery orange underbelly, a familiar sight in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2020 When a newt is spotted, brigaders work quickly to photograph it and record its location. Annie Roth Ian C. Bates, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2023 Or, at the very least, heal up like a limb-regenerating newt. Lacy Schley, Discover Magazine, 21 Sep. 2018 The Pacific newt is populous in this part of the state, but high roadkill rates abound in the North and South Bay. Gwendolyn Wu, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Feb. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'newt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, alteration (resulting from misdivision of an ewte) of ewte — more at eft

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of newt was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near newt

Cite this Entry

“Newt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/newt. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

newt

noun
: any of various small salamanders that live mostly in water

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