lobster

[ lob-ster ]

noun

plural (especially collectively) lobster, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) lobsters.

1. any of various large, edible, marine, usually dull-green, stalk-eyed decapod crustaceans of the family Homaridae, especially of the genus Homarus, having large, asymmetrical pincers on the first pair of legs, one used for crushing and the other for cutting and tearing: the shell turns bright red when cooked.
2. spiny lobster.
3. any of various similar crustaceans, as certain crayfishes.
4. the edible meat of these animals.

lobster

/ ˈlɒbstə /

noun

1. any of several large marine decapod crustaceans of the genus Homarus, esp H. vulgaris, occurring on rocky shores and having the first pair of limbs modified as large pincers
2. any of several similar crustaceans, esp the spiny lobster
3. the flesh of any of these crustaceans, eaten as a delicacy

Word History and Origins

Origin of lobster¹

before 1000; Middle English lopster, Old English loppestre literally, spidery creature ( loppe spider ( lob ¹ ) + -stre -ster ); lop ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lobster¹

Old English loppestre, from loppe spider

Example Sentences

It has a collection of scattered houses, one supply store and, for good reason, a lobster wholesaler.

From BBC

On California’s North Coast, where other urchin nemeses — like otters, spiny lobsters and sheephead — are lacking, 96% of the region’s kelp forests vanished in the decade following the sea star collapse.

From Los Angeles Times

However, they managed to reach the a small, rocky island and were rescued by a passing lobster fisherman.

From BBC

Tarragon complements seafood beautifully, especially lobster with lots of butter.

From Salon

Some people add lobster tails and mussels; others prefer to stay with only fish.

From Salon

Related Words

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