clamshell

noun

clam·​shell ˈklam-ˌshel 

1

: the shell of a clam

2

a

: a bucket or grapple (as on a dredge) having two hinged jaws

b

: an excavating machine having a clamshell

c

: either of a pair of doors (as in an airplane tail) that open out and away from each other

d

: a hinged container, case, or cover that opens like the shell of a clam

Examples of clamshell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Based on the company's H145 platform, the aircraft replaces the cockpit with clamshell cargo doors, freeing up additional space for payloads. — David Szondy june 21, New Atlas, 21 June 2026

Amazon Don’t be confused by the clamshell design, complete with keyboard and trackpad, on the Elecrow CrowView Note. — Christopher Null, Wired News, 11 June 2026

My first impression was its clean, grey clamshell design. — John Burek, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026

Keep things interesting by arranging containers in different sizes and styles, like this old-fashioned strawberry pot and giant clamshell. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for clamshell

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• cogswell
• compel
• dispel

Kids Definition

clamshell

noun

clam·​shell ˈklam-ˌshel 

: the shell of a clam