limpet

noun

lim·​pet ˈlim-pət 

1

: a marine gastropod mollusk (especially families Acmaeidae and Patellidae) that has a low conical shell broadly open beneath, browses over rocks or timbers in the littoral area, and clings very tightly when disturbed

2

: one that clings tenaciously to someone or something

3

: an explosive device designed to cling magnetically to a metallic surface (such as the hull of a ship)

Illustration of limpet

• limpet 1

Examples of limpet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The device, a compact high-explosive limpet mine designed to rest along the seabed, relies on a combination of acoustic and three-axis magnetic sensors to detect nearby vessels. —James Laporta, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

Awarded two Michelin stars within three months of opening, chef Poul Andrias Ziska has turned PAZ into a contemporary testing ground for the islands’ extraordinary seafood, drawn from icy waters and appearing even in dessert form (think blue mussel candy or ice cream made from limpet and dulse). —Rafael Tonon, Time, 12 Mar. 2026

And the amount of making from my crew; the shells and the limpets and the set, all the art department carving, making their rocks smaller so that my sirens could move more. —Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 19 Jan. 2026

Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in them, but maritime security sources suspect Kyiv is behind them, some involving limpet mines on vessels in the Mediterranean. —Reuters, NBC news, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lempet, from Old English lempedu, from Medieval Latin lampreda lamprey

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

limpet

noun

lim·​pet ˈlim-pət 

: a marine mollusk that has a low cone-shaped shell, moves over rocks or timbers feeding on food found there, and clings very tightly when disturbed