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.

Illustration of hellbender

Examples of hellbender in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the wild, hellbenders will generally lay between 150-500 eggs, with only a small portion surviving the hatching process, said Courtney Hayes, a wildlife biologist with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. — Ruby Grisin, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2026

An Eastern hellbender salamander, an endangered species, is one of 65 salamander species in North Carolina. — Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 31 Jan. 2026

Anglers are the most likely Hoosiers to encounter a hellbender, and researchers encourage them to report sightings to natural resources professionals in the state, such as DNR conservation officers. — Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 12 Nov. 2025

Since the program began in 2012, more than 2,000 hellbenders have returned to Ohio’s rivers and creeks. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hellbender

• bartender
• contender
• defender
• engender
• extender
• offender
• pretender
• provender
• surrender
• suspender
• transgender
• bender

Kids Definition

hellbender

noun

hell·​ben·​der ˈhel-ˌben-dər 

: a large water-dwelling salamander of streams of the eastern and central U.S.