scallop

1 of 2

noun

scal·​lop ˈskä-ləp  ˈska- 

ˈskȯ-

variants or less commonly scollop

ˈskä- 

ˈskȯ-

1

a

: any of numerous marine bivalve lamellibranch mollusks (family Pectinidae) that have a radially ribbed shell with the edge undulated and that swim by opening and closing the valves

b

: the adductor muscle of a scallop as an article of food

2

a

: a valve or shell of a scallop

b

: a baking dish shaped like a valve of a scallop

3

: one of a continuous series of circle segments or angular projections forming a border (as on cloth or metal)

4

: pattypan

5

[French escalope, probably from Middle French, shell] : a thin slice of boneless meat or fish

veal scallops

called also escalope

Illustration of scallop

• scallop 2a

scallop

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly scollop

scalloped also scolloped; scalloping also scolloping; scallops also scollops

transitive verb

1

a

: to shape, cut, or finish in scallops

b

: to form scallops in

2

[from the use of a scallop shell as a baking dish] : to bake in a sauce usually covered with seasoned bread or cracker crumbs

scalloped potatoes

intransitive verb

: to gather or dredge scallops

Examples of scallop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Most were French-flagged, including small boats targeting shrimp and scallops, while 21 were large industrial vessels using heavy beam trawls to scrape the seafloor for flatfish. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

Spicy customer favorites include its Three Glass Chicken (dark meat chicken, garlic, ginger, basil, chili, wine and soy sauce), Baoding Scallops (scallops fried then sauteed in a sweet and spicy sauce with red bell peppers, snow peas, mushroom and broccoli) and Tangerine Beef. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2025

Verb

The Hokkaido scallop crudo with calamansi citrus and pops of smoky pyanggang sauce was exceptional, while the signature half-chicken with siu haau sauce and Janevca crisp is one of chef Alridge’s personal favorites. —Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2025

The wooden top has scalloped edges with subtle framing around the outside edge, and even the table’s apron has its own set of decorative rectangular accents that connect to the legs. —Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English scalop, from Anglo-French escalope shell, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch schelpe shell

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1682, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing scallop

• bay scallop
• sea scallop

Rhymes for scallop

• gallop
• jalap
• shallop

Kids Definition

scallop

1 of 2 noun

scal·​lop ˈskäl-əp  ˈskal- 

1

a

: any of a family of marine mollusks with a two-part ribbed shell

b

: a muscle of the scallop used for food

2

: one of the two parts of a scallop shell

3

: one of a continuous series of rounded half-circles forming a border (as on lace)

scallop

2 of 2 verb

1

: to bake in a sauce usually covered with seasoned bread or cracker crumbs

scalloped potatoes

2

: to shape, cut, or make an edge in scallops