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

As a result, slipper limpets compete with native mollusks for food and in areas where limpet populations are high, can outcompete oysters, clams, and mussels. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2025

Many stingray species have similar diets, often feeding on invertebrates, worms, small crustaceans, shrimp, crabs, mollusks, and even sometimes small fish. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025

In keeping with popular male balms for spiritual suffering, Turner turns to alcohol and functions as a mollusk, socially and professionally; his stoicism is an act, one his peers pick up on, and which some openly deride. —Andy Crump, Time, 20 July 2025

In rare trips to the deep sea, scientists have uncovered sea cucumbers with purple-magenta ombre coloring; yeti crabs with hairy, feather-like claws; octopuses with ears like the Disney character Dumbo; iridescent mollusks; and phantasmic jellyfish. —Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 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-