amphibious

adjective

am·​phib·​i·​ous am-ˈfi-bē-əs 

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

amphibiously adverb

amphibiousness noun

Examples of amphibious in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The sun was yet to rise over the beaches of Normandy when, on June 6, 1944 -- 80 years ago this week -- thousands of American sons and Allied troops began what would become the largest amphibious assault in history. —Esther Castillejo, ABC News, 6 June 2024

In 1942, the bold amphibious raid on the French port of Dieppe, 100 miles up the coast from the Normandy invasion beaches, put a division of Canadian infantry and a regiment of tanks onto the European continent. —The Editors, National Review, 6 June 2024

The cemetery and its memorial sits just inland from the famed Omaha Beach, on the shore where more than 150,000 U.S. and Allied troops streamed ashore in a massive amphibious assault. —Bill Chappell, NPR, 6 June 2024

In April and May, the two countries engaged in their largest military exercises together, simulating an effort to repulse an amphibious landing. —Massimo Calabresi / Washington, TIME, 4 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin amphibius "living both on land and in water" (borrowed from Greek amphíbios "living a double life, living both on land and in the water," from amphi- amphi- + -bios "having such a mode of life," derivative of bíos "life") + -ous — more at quick entry 1

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

amphibious

adjective

am·​phib·​i·​ous am-ˈfib-ē-əs 

1

: able to live both on land and in water

amphibious plants

2

a

: designed for use on both land and water

amphibious vehicles

b

: carried out by land, sea, and air forces acting together

an amphibious assault

amphibiously adverb

amphibiousness noun

Etymology

from Greek amphibios "living a double life," from amphi- "around, on both sides" and bios "mode of life"