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

Standout dishes include the fish sandwich, tuna melt and shellfish sausage. — Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026

Raw or undercooked meat, fish, shellfish and eggs, along with unpasteurized milk, dairy and juices, are especially likely to be contaminated. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026

You can also be exposed to the toxin by eating shellfish that have been contaminated with the toxin. — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 19 June 2026

Ever-thoughtful, the restaurant is also a champion for diners with dietary restrictions like gluten, dairy, nuts, or shellfish. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shellfish

• bluefish
• catfish
• codfish
• crawfish
• dogfish
• finfish
• flatfish
• goldfish
• groundfish
• kingfish
• offish
• redfish

Kids 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)