salamander

noun

sal·​a·​man·​der ˈsa-lə-ˌman-dər How to pronounce salamander (audio)
 also  ˌsa-lə-ˈman-
1
: a mythical animal having the power to endure fire without harm
2
: an elemental being in the theory of Paracelsus inhabiting fire
3
: any of numerous amphibians (order Caudata or Urodela) superficially resembling lizards but scaleless and covered with a soft moist skin and breathing by gills in the larval stage
4
: an article used in connection with fire: such as
a
: a cooking utensil for browning a food (such as pastry or pudding)
b
: a portable stove
c
: a cooking device with an overhead heat source like a broiler
5
: a mass of unfused material (such as metallic iron or partially reduced ore) in the hearth of a blast furnace
6
: the pocket gophers (genus Geomys) of the southeastern U.S.
salamandrine adjective

Examples of salamander in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At least 65 distinct salamander species have been identified in the state, with most inhabiting western North Carolina. Michelle Mastro, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 June 2025 Aquatic salamanders called axolotls are known for their unusual ability to regrow limbs lost to injury or amputation. Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 12 June 2025 Vermont also has four-toed salamanders and lots of frogs. Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 Featuring four lakes, DuPont is home to a dizzying variety of plants and animals, including five types of clover, three orchid species and wildlife ranging from bobcats to black bears and snakes to salamanders. Ruffin Prevost, New York Times, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for salamander

Word History

Etymology

Middle English salamandre "a reptile believed to live in fire," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin salamandra, borrowed from Greek salamándra, probably of pre-Greek substratal origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of salamander was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Salamander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salamander. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

salamander

noun
sal·​a·​man·​der ˈsal-ə-ˌman-dər How to pronounce salamander (audio)
1
: an imaginary creature not harmed by fire
2
: any of an order of amphibians that are covered with scaleless usually smooth moist skin and look like lizards

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