Asian clam

noun

: a small, freshwater, bivalve mollusk (Corbicula fluminea) that has a yellowish to brown shell with concentric rows of raised ridges and is chiefly of Asian origin and has been widely introduced especially into U.S. waters
Non-native Asian clams are spreading rapidly across parts of Lake Tahoe, often accompanied by stringy mats of bright green algae, and posing a new threat to the world-renowned mountain lake.Tom Knudson, Sacramento Bee, 19 Aug. 2009
When jostled by turbulent water, an Asian clam "lifts off" the floor with its foot and releases a transparent mucous film that can catch the current like a sail.Science, December 1984

Note: The Asian clam is often considered an invasive species in the U.S. where it is known to clog water intake pipes and compete with native species for food.

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Asian clam was in 1964

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Cite this Entry

“Asian clam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Asian%20clam. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

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