conch

¹ American  

[kongk, konch] / kɒŋk, kɒntʃ /

noun

plural

conchs, conches

1. the spiral shell of a gastropod, often used as a horn.

2. any of various marine gastropods.

3. the fabled shell trumpet of the Tritons.

4. (often initial capital letter)

   1. a term used to refer to a native or inhabitant of the Florida Keys.

   2. a term used to refer to a Bahamian.

5. Architecture. Also a smooth concave surface consisting of or resembling the interior of a semidome, as the surface of a vault, a trompe, or the head of a niche.

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conch- ² American  

1. variant of concho- before a vowel.

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conch British  

/ kɒŋk, kɒntʃ /

noun

1. any of various tropical marine gastropod molluscs of the genus Strombus and related genera, esp S. gigas (giant conch), characterized by a large brightly coloured spiral shell

2. the shell of such a mollusc, used as a trumpet

3. architect another name for concha

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Sensitive Note

Conch is usually a neutral nickname or term of self-reference for any person living in the Florida Keys or the Bahamas, where conch (the flesh of the gastropod) is a popular food. However, the nickname conch is sometimes used with disparaging intent when specifically referring to a person of Bahamian ancestry living in the Florida Keys. And Loyalists who fled to the Bahamas during the Revolutionary War used the nickname conch to refer disparagingly to a native or early settler of the Bahamas.

Other Word Forms

• conchate adjective
• conched adjective

Etymology

Origin of conch

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin concha < Greek kónchē mussel, shell

Explanation

A conch is a sea creature that has a distinctive, spiral-shaped shell. If you visit the Bahamas, you might see a conch on the beach or find it on a restaurant menu. The large, brightly colored spiral shells people buy at gift shops in beach towns are conch shells. In many parts of the world, conch meat, both raw and cooked, is a seafood delicacy that shows up in salads, soups, and fritters. You can also use a conch shell as a musical instrument by blowing into one end of it. The word conch comes from the Latin concha, "shellfish," from a Greek root, konkhē, "mussel or cockle."

Example Sentences

Chipped conch shells and scattered bone whistles point to a musical ambience.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

Protesters blew conch shells - the sound is considered auspicious.

From BBC • Aug. 15, 2024

In the meantime, species like the queen conch have lacked federal environmental protection and moved steadily toward extinction.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 27, 2023

Officers reported finding two empty conch shells next to a pot and an active fire.

From Washington Times • Nov. 22, 2023

There was the sound of a brief tussle and the conch moved to and fro.

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

Related Words

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