hellbender

noun

hell·​ben·​der ˈhel-ˌben-dər How to pronounce hellbender (audio)
: a large aquatic usually brownish-gray salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) of streams of the eastern and central U.S.

Illustration of hellbender

Illustration of hellbender

Examples of hellbender 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.
The team packed the hellbenders up and drove to a river in Middle Tennessee, where biologists donned wet suits and snorkels and hopped into the cold streams. — Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 16 May 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 An Eastern hellbender salamander, an endangered species, is one of 65 salamander species in North Carolina. — Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 31 Jan. 2026 From hellbenders and invasive plant removals to waterfall hikes and paddling adventures, there’s plenty to do this weekend and beyond for adventurous Hoosiers of all ages and experience levels. — Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 7 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for hellbender

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hellbender was in 1812

Rhymes for hellbender

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Browse Nearby Words

hellandite
hellbender
hell-bent
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Cite this Entry

“Hellbender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hellbender. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hellbender

noun
hell·​ben·​der ˈhel-ˌben-dər How to pronounce hellbender (audio)
: a large water-dwelling salamander of streams of the eastern and central U.S.

More from Merriam-Webster on hellbender

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hellbender

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