giant clam

[ jahy-uhnt klam ]

noun

1. any of several huge clams of the family Tridacnidae, inhabiting the shallow waters of coral reefs in the tropical Indo-Pacific, including Tridacna squamosa fluted giant clam, a relatively hardy but conservation dependent species that grows to about 16 inches (40 centimeters) across.

Word History and Origins

Origin of giant clam¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Coral reefs that some marine biologists call the Amazon of the ocean lie just offshore, home to giant clams, nurturing small fish, which in turn are prey for manta rays.

From Seattle Times

He is afraid that the same thing will happen in Labengki and in 2009 he founded a conservation group to protect giant clams.

From BBC

"We drink lots of aperitifos, and we eat big plates of pasta with giant clams," she says.

From Salon

Everything is mechanical, so you’ll see robotic fish and squids floating through the air while giant clams shoot fireballs at you.

From The Verge

Testing of sea creatures in the surrounding lagoon, including giant clams, shows high levels of radioactivity.

From Los Angeles Times