Illustration of hellbender
hellbender
noun
hell·ben·der
ˈhel-ˌben-dər 
: a large aquatic usually brownish-gray salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) of streams of the eastern and central U.S.
Examples of hellbender in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2010, the Center petitioned for federal protections for eastern hellbenders.
—
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Advocates hope the protections will spur broader efforts to restore water quality across the hellbender's range.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
This creek is one of the country’s last hellbender strongholds.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 18 June 2024
The event's name refers to the eastern hellbenders, North America's largest salamander species, which are native to the Ohio River.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 24 July 2024
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Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Advocates hope the protections will spur broader efforts to restore water quality across the hellbender's range.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
This creek is one of the country’s last hellbender strongholds.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 18 June 2024
The event's name refers to the eastern hellbenders, North America's largest salamander species, which are native to the Ohio River.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 24 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for hellbender
Cite this Entry
“Hellbender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hellbender. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hellbender
noun
hell·ben·der
ˈhel-ˌben-dər
: a large water-dwelling salamander of streams of the eastern and central U.S.
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