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

San Diego’s General Dynamics-NASSCO will get nearly $200 million from the U.S. Defense Department to repair and upgrade the amphibious assault ship USS America, one of the largest and most versatile warships in the Navy. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025

China has the world's largest navy by hull count, with more than 370 ships and submarines, including three Type 075 amphibious assault ships currently in active service. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

Marine F-35Bs deployed on their first combat deployment aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex in July 2018. —Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

The team tells us an amphibious version could follow. —New Atlas, 12 May 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"