mollusk

noun

mol·​lusk ˈmä-ləsk 

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

mə-ˈlə-skən 

mä-

Examples of mollusk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Those inspection stations are intended to intercept another quagga outbreak before the mollusks even have a chance to enter Idaho waters. —Alex Music august 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 Aug. 2025

Could it be transmitted from the mollusks that sea stars eat, the way people get sick after eating oysters infected with a vibrio pathogen? —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for mollusk

• mollusc

Kids Definition

mollusk

noun

mol·​lusk

variants or mollusc

ˈmäl-əsk 

: 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

mə-ˈləs-kən 

mä-

Medical Definition

mollusk

noun

mol·​lusk

variants or mollusc

ˈmäl-əsk 

: any invertebrate animal of the phylum Mollusca

molluscan adjective

also molluskan

mə-ˈles-kən, mä-