salamander

noun

sal·​a·​man·​der ˈsa-lə-ˌman-dər 

 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) 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 gopher (Geomys tuza) of the southeastern U.S.

salamandrine

ˌsa-lə-ˈman-drən 

adjective

Examples of salamander in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Stone carvings of salamanders, snakes, turtles, and other local animals are strategically placed in the pathways, and there’s even a dipping pool under a giant ceiba tree just off the main corridor. —Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2024

This head shape suggests the animal ate grubs -- which are the larval form of certain beetle species -- and other small insects, similar to frogs and salamanders. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024

Other notable wildlife species include the Olympic marmot, Olympic snow mole and Olympic torrent salamander, which aren’t found anywhere else in the world. —Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024

Scientists have discovered that blind cave salamanders in northern Italy leave their underground homes to go on expeditions to the surface. —Elizabeth Anne Brown, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024

Enter caecilians, wormlike relatives of frogs, toads, and salamanders that live primarily in tropical areas. —Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024

These adorable and aquatic salamanders resemble cheerful Muppets with their wide eyes and frilly gills. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 16 Mar. 2024

High-speed video shows that ground-dwelling salamanders seem helpless during freefall in a vertical wind tunnel, while arboreal salamanders maneuver confidently. —Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2024

In the wild, the snakes will feed on earthworms, insects, frogs, salamanders, and toads and are harmless to humans. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023

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

Phrases Containing salamander

• spotted salamander
• tiger salamander

Kids Definition

salamander

noun

sal·​a·​man·​der ˈsal-ə-ˌman-dər 

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