amphibious

adjective am·phib·i·ous \ am-ˈfi-bē-əs \

Updated on: 10 May 2018

Definition of amphibious

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

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amphibiously

adverb

—

amphibiousness

noun

See amphibious defined for English-language learners

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Recent Examples of amphibious from the Web

The officials boarded the Juan Carlos I, an amphibious assault ship that functions as a small aircraft carrier, to observe an exercise designed by Spain to display its own prowess at military command.

— julian e. barnes, WSJ, "Spain Puts On a Show to Win Post-Brexit Military Role," 24 Apr. 2018
New kind of flood readiness From ground level, amphibious houses look like ordinary buildings.

— NBC News, "How floating architecture could help save cities from rising seas," 9 Apr. 2018
The headquarters will control Japan’s five regional armies and a new amphibious brigade similar to the U.S. Marine Corps.

— alastair gale, WSJ, "Japan Shakes Up Army to Tackle Rising Threats," 4 Apr. 2018
Additionally, the measure includes incremental funding for one LXR amphibious warship constructed in the nearby Huntington Ingalls Shipyard.

— paul gattis, AL.com, "Alabama gets 'significant funding' in spending bill, Sen. Richard Shelby says," 23 Mar. 2018
To be better able to retake any islands, the army is tripling its amphibious unit to 2,100 troops.

— alastair gale, WSJ, "Japan Shakes Up Army to Tackle Rising Threats," 4 Apr. 2018
The USS Wasp, an 843-foot long amphibious assault ship, is expected to join the exercises, Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.

— thomas maresca, USA TODAY, "U.S., South Korea begin joint military training amid thawing tension on Korean peninsula," 1 Apr. 2018
Squads are even using them before amphibious assaults, to gauge conditions on the beach and discover and map out enemy positions.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Marine Corps' Latest Weapon Is a Quadcopter," 9 Feb. 2018
Philippine Sea, off Okinawa (CNN)Roaring off the deck of a 40,000-ton amphibious assault warship, F-35B fighter jets piloted by US Marines soar over the Pacific Ocean near the Japanese island of Okinawa.

— rebecca wright and ivan watson, CNN, "US shows off new F-35 fighter jets ahead of US-South Korea drills," 26 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amphibious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of amphibious

Greek amphibios, literally, living a double life, from amphi- + bios mode of life — more at ¹quick

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1608

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Other Automotive Terms

articulated, block, choke, clutch, diesel, neutral, transmission

AMPHIBIOUS Defined for English Language Learners

amphibious

adjective

Definition of amphibious for English Language Learners

: able to live both on land and in water
: able to be used both on land and water
: done by soldiers who are brought to land in special boats : carried out by land and sea forces acting together

AMPHIBIOUS Defined for Kids

amphibious

adjective am·phib·i·ous \ am-ˈfi-bē-əs \

Definition of amphibious for Students

1 : able to live both on land and in water

amphibious animals

2 : meant to be used on both land and water

amphibious vehicles

3 : made by land, sea, and air forces acting together

amphibious attack

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Spanish Central: Translation of amphibious Nglish: Translation of amphibious for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of amphibious for Arabic speakers

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