shellfish
noun
shell·fish
ˈshel-ˌfish 
: an aquatic invertebrate animal with a shell
especially
: an edible mollusk or crustacean
Examples of shellfish in a Sentence
lobsters, crabs, and other shellfish
Recent Examples on the Web
Traditionally, the royal family avoids eating shellfish, especially when attending royal events or tours, due to health concerns.
—
Meredith Kile, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The others are eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, milk, peanuts, wheat, sesame and soybeans.
—Toby Meyjes, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Most people get vibriosis by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters, according to the CDC.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Vibriosis can also be contracted by eating raw or undercooked shellfish.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shellfish
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Meredith Kile, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The others are eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, milk, peanuts, wheat, sesame and soybeans.
—Toby Meyjes, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Most people get vibriosis by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters, according to the CDC.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Vibriosis can also be contracted by eating raw or undercooked shellfish.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shellfish
Cite this Entry
“Shellfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shellfish. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shellfish
noun
shell·fish
ˈshel-ˌfish
: an invertebrate animal that lives in water and has a shell
especially
: an edible mollusk (as an oyster) or crustacean (as a crab)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share