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

British chef Andrew Gaskin’s multi-course menus, featuring scallops and peas in pumpkin oil and lobster bisque with seaweed Johnny cakes, are full of Caribbean flavor, but light enough to keep anyone planning to join tomorrow’s sunrise-yoga class happy. —Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Dinner is five courses for $55—think dishes like Esqueixada, Arroz Meloso with seared scallop, braised short rib with wild mushrooms and Apple Basque Cheesecake. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 21 Jan. 2026

Verb

Its two pink doors have scalloped edges that create a playful design when shut. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Jan. 2026

Highlights include a tom kha caviar tartlet with galangal coconut cream and Ossetra caviar, uni jok with wild rice porridge and Hokkaido uni, and scallop tom yum with lemongrass and makrut lime leaves. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

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