amphibian
n. countable B2 Upper Intermediate US //æmˈfɪbiən// UK //æmfˈɪbiən// am·phib·ian
n. an animal that lives both in water and on land. Frogs, toads, and newts are all examples of this.
n. a cold-blooded vertebrate that typically lives in water as a larva and on land as an adult. Includes frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts.
The frog is a common example of an amphibian.
Many amphibians are sensitive to changes in their environment, making them important indicators of ecosystem health.
Unlike reptiles, which have dry, scaly skin, amphibians possess moist, permeable skin that allows for gas exchange and makes them highly susceptible to environmental toxins.
Learned borrowing from Latin amphibius [from Ancient Greek ἀμφίβιος (amphíbios), from ἀμφίς (amphís, “of both kinds”) + βίος (bíos, “life”)] + -an.