shellfish

[ shel-fish ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) shell·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) shell·fish·es.

1. an aquatic animal having a shell, as the oyster and other mollusks and the lobster and other crustaceans.

shellfish

/ ˈʃɛlˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any aquatic invertebrate having a shell or shell-like carapace, esp such an animal used as human food. Examples are crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters and molluscs such as oysters

Word History and Origins

Origin of shellfish¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English scilfisc. See shell, fish

Example Sentences

The result: one in five finfish, and one in five shellfish, were not as advertised.

From Salon

I really enjoy shellfish, especially scallops, lobster and langoustine.

From Salon

The so-called “hot girl food” is exactly what its name suggests: processed seafood — namely sardines, anchovies, salmon, mollusks and shellfish — that’s neatly packaged and presented in a peel-back, often decorative tin.

From Salon

And farmed shellfish, which can help restore oceans, estuaries, or our coastlines.

From Salon

Videos on social media show some visitors throwing shellfish and even splashing water on Moo Deng to try to coax her out of sleep.

From BBC

Related Words

• clam
• conch
• crawfish
• crustacean
• lobster
• mollusk
• mussel
• oyster
• prawn
• scallop
• shrimp
• snail