mollusk

noun

mol·​lusk ˈmä-ləsk How to pronounce mollusk (audio)
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
molluscan adjective
or less commonly molluskan

Examples of mollusk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The mollusks have filtered most of the lakes, turning them from their old greenish hue, which allowed for only a few feet of visibility, to clear blue. Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025 Exposure to specific proteins found in crustaceans, including shrimp, crab, and lobster—as well as mollusks such as clams, oysters, and mussels—can negatively impact the immune system. Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025 Millions of gastropods, like snails and mollusks from various species, died suddenly in Inle Lake. Lauren Liebhaber september 5, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 The freshwater mollusks threaten the state’s water infrastructure by clogging pipes and power systems, and threaten aquatic ecosystems and habitats by outcompeting native species and contributing to algal blooms via filter feeding. Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mollusk

Word History

Etymology

French mollusque, from New Latin Mollusca, from Latin, neuter plural of molluscus thin-shelled (of a nut), from mollis

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mollusk was in 1783

Cite this Entry

“Mollusk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mollusk. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

Kids 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
molluscan adjective
also molluskan

Medical Definition

mollusk

noun
mol·​lusk
variants or mollusc
: any invertebrate animal of the phylum Mollusca
molluscan adjective
also molluskan

More from Merriam-Webster on mollusk

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