lobster

noun

lob·​ster ˈläb-stər 

often attributive

1

: any of a family (Nephropidae and especially Homarus americanus) of large edible marine decapod crustaceans that have stalked eyes, a pair of large claws, and a long abdomen and that include species from coasts on both sides of the North Atlantic and from the Cape of Good Hope

2

: spiny lobster

lobsterlike

ˈläb-stər-ˌlīk 

adjective

Illustration of lobster

• lobster 1

Examples of lobster in a Sentence

I had lobster for dinner.

Recent Examples on the Web

The spot is only about 30 miles from the coast, where Flint makes his living catching scallops and lobsters commercially. —Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 3 Dec. 2025

Sometimes lobster and crab might be added, the eel almost always absent. —Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025

Another great place to eat is Sailor's Return, which features a relaxed tropical harbor vibe and nightly specials that range from lobster to prime rib. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2025

Mac's Pizza & Kitchen Lean in to hear the locals tell tales of Mick Jagger and David Bowie pulling up in private yachts from Mustique just to dig into the lobster pizza at Mac's Pizza & Kitchen. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English loppestre, from loppe spider

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing lobster

• hanging lobster claw
• lobster claw
• lobster pot
• lobster shift
• lobster thermidor
• lobster trap
• Norway lobster
• rock lobster
• spiny lobster

Rhymes for lobster

• mobster

Kids Definition

lobster

noun

lob·​ster ˈläb-stər 

: any of several large edible marine crustaceans with stalked eyes, a pair of large claws, and a long abdomen

also : spiny lobster