conch

noun

ˈkäŋk  ˈkänch 

ˈkȯŋk

plural conchs ˈkäŋks 

ˈkȯŋks

or conches ˈkän-chəz 

1

: any of various large spiral-shelled marine gastropod mollusks (as of the genus Strombus)

also : its shell used especially for cameos

2

often disparaging : a native or resident of the Florida Keys

3

: concha sense 2

Illustration of conch

• conch 1

Examples of conch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The national dish of the Bahamas is conch salad. —AFAR Media, 11 May 2026

Alone without any adults, the boys attempt to organize themselves to get food, water, shelter and fun, electing a chief, Ralph (Winston Sawyers in the new series), and holding meetings where only the boy holding a large conch shell is allowed to talk. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

Feast on fresh lobster, curried chicken, and stewed conch, among other island favorites, and wash it all down with a Carib at sunset at this still-secret, locals-only spot. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026

As its name implies, the island is terrific for its shelling; keep an eye out for sand dollars, periwinkles, conch shells, pin shells, whelk, and olive shells. —Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin concha mussel, mussel shell, from Greek konchē; akin to Sanskrit śaṅkha conch shell

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for conch

• haunch
• launch
• paunch
• staunch
• protoconch

Kids Definition

conch

noun

ˈkäŋk  ˈkänch 

plural conchs ˈkäŋks  or conches

ˈkän-chəz

: a large marine gastropod mollusk having a spiral shell

also : its shell

Medical Definition

conch

noun

ˈkäŋk  ˈkänch 

ˈkȯŋk

plural conchs ˈkäŋks, ˈkȯŋks  or conches ˈkän-chəz 

: concha sense 1