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

Hold onto your lobster rolls, The Real Housewives of Rhode Island is coming. —EW.com, 7 May 2025

The trio enjoyed some cornbread and caviar, vegan lox, truffle lobster rolls and more. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 6 May 2025

The trio toasted their hors d’oeuvres while sharing their thoughts on the menu, which included vegan lox, cornbread paired with caviar, truffle lobster rolls and more. —Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025

For a few crustaceans, such as lobsters—which pee from their heads—urine can also convey information about social status and readiness to mate. —Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 11 Apr. 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