mussel

noun

mus·​sel ˈmə-səl 

1

: a marine bivalve mollusk (especially genus Mytilus) usually having a dark elongated shell

2

: a freshwater bivalve mollusk (as of Unio, Anodonta, or related genera) that is especially abundant in rivers of the central U.S. and has a shell lined with mother-of-pearl

Examples of mussel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His job is to test an ultrasonic transducer that sends pulses along a surface to deter mussels from attaching. —Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 16 June 2026

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency Tuesday because of the growing threat posed by invasive golden mussels. —Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026

When there are harmful algae blooms, health authorities sometimes put out warnings telling people not to eat mussels, clams and other types of seafood. —Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 15 June 2026

For shellfish lovers, few destinations rival the Puget Sound region, where cold brackish waters create ideal conditions for oysters, clams, and mussels. —Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English muscle, from Old English muscelle, from Vulgar Latin *muscula, from Latin musculus muscle, mussel

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mussel

• blue mussel
• quagga mussel
• zebra mussel

Rhymes for mussel

• bustle
• hustle
• muscle
• russel
• rustle
• trussell
• tussle
• mofussil

Kids Definition

mussel

noun

mus·​sel ˈməs-əl 

1

: any of various edible saltwater mollusks with a long dark hinged double shell

2

: any of numerous freshwater mollusks of rivers of the central U.S. whose hinged double shells are lined with mother-of-pearl