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

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

Head to the Southeast Reptile Expo to see a wide variety of reptiles, amphibians and other exotic pets, buy supplies for them and learn about caring for them responsibly. — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 28 July 2026

Okefenokee is also home to at least 856 species of plants, 48 species of mammals, 238 species of birds, 39 species of fish, and 90 species of amphibians and reptiles. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026

Surrounding the Grass River and its tributaries, the nature preserve is home to almost 150 species of birds and as well as many species of fish, reptiles, and amphibians. — Kristin Hagenson, Midwest Living, 22 July 2026

The list features 335 plant species and 228 wildlife species which includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Amphibia, taxon including frogs and salamanders (from neuter plural of amphibius amphibious) + -an entry 1

Note: As a taxon Amphibia was used as a class name already by linnaeus (Systema naturae, 10. editio, 1758, p. 196 et passim), but in a sense that included both amphibians and some reptiles. Limitation of the taxon to approximately its current meaning dates from Thomas Gray's "A Synopsis of the Genera of Reptiles and Amphibia" (Annals of Philosophy, new series vol. 10, July-December, 1825, pp.193-217) according to Darrel R. Frost, et al., "The Amphibian Tree of Life," Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, No. 297 (2006), p. 355. The use of both English amphibian and Latin amphibius with varying gender and number to refer to animals living on both land and sea (and in figurative senses) can be found much earlier.

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for amphibian

• libyan
• caribbean

Kids 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