| amphibious vehicle | |
noun | |
| a flat-bottomed motor vehicle that can travel on land or water [syn: amphibian] |
amphibious vehicle
device for transporting personnel and equipment, usually military, that can operate as a wheeled or tracked vehicle on land and as a boat in water. Two principal types appeared during World War II: the LVT ("landing vehicle, tracked"), a tractor developed for the U.S. Marine Corps, and the "duck" (DUKW), an army-sponsored vehicle. The LVT resembled a tank, whereas the duck moved on rubber tires ashore and was propeller-driven when afloat. An air-cushion machine, such as the British Hovercraft, is not considered an amphibious vehicle.
Learn more about amphibious vehicle with a free trial on Britannica.com.