variants
or mollusc
: any of a large phylum (Mollusca) of invertebrate animals (such as snails, clams, or squids) with a soft unsegmented body usually enclosed in a calcareous shell
broadly
: shellfish
mol·lus·can
variants
or less commonly molluskan
: of or relating to the Mollusca
Examples of mollusk in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Archaeologists have been cataloging dump sites since at least the early 19th century, when Danish scientists began pawing through heaps of mollusk shells that had been discarded by their Stone Age ancestors.
—Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
In the surrounding abyss, scientists have found mollusks, snails, worms, sea cucumbers, isopods, starfish and more.
—Harry Stevens, New York Times, 3 June 2026
That Field finds herself in this state is a low moment indeed; even the human performers in the sitcom My Mother the Car escaped with more dignity than a two-time Oscar-winning actress spilling her soul to a cephalopod mollusk.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2026
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Noun
Once established, the mollusks are extremely difficult to eradicate and can damage drinking water systems, irrigation infrastructure and hydroelectric facilities while disrupting native aquatic ecosystems.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Archaeologists have been cataloging dump sites since at least the early 19th century, when Danish scientists began pawing through heaps of mollusk shells that had been discarded by their Stone Age ancestors.
—Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
In the surrounding abyss, scientists have found mollusks, snails, worms, sea cucumbers, isopods, starfish and more.
—Harry Stevens, New York Times, 3 June 2026
That Field finds herself in this state is a low moment indeed; even the human performers in the sitcom My Mother the Car escaped with more dignity than a two-time Oscar-winning actress spilling her soul to a cephalopod mollusk.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for mollusk
Cite this Entry
“Mollusk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mollusk. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mollusk
noun
mol·lusk
variants
or mollusc
: any of a large phylum of invertebrate animals (as snails, clams, and octopuses) with a soft body lacking segments and usually enclosed in a shell containing calcium
Medical Definition
mollusk
noun
mol·lusk
variants
or mollusc
: any invertebrate animal of the phylum Mollusca
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