IPA: /ˈæm.træk/
KK: /ˈæmtræk/
A type of military vehicle designed to travel on both land and water, used for transporting troops from ships to shore.
The soldiers boarded the amtrac to reach the beach safely.
The word 'amtrac' is derived from 'amphibious tractor', which refers to a vehicle designed for both land and water use. The term combines 'amphibious' (from Greek 'amphibios', meaning both kinds of life) and 'tractor' (from Latin 'tractorem', meaning to pull or drag).
Think of a vehicle that can operate in both water and on land — 'amphibious' means it can live in both environments, and 'tractor' indicates it pulls or moves things.