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

Finally, shellfish like clams and mussels are affected by leukemia-like cancers that transmit through seawater. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Steamed mussels are perfect with a Belgian white or witbier, such as Allagash White or Blue Moon. — Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 24 July 2026

Golden mussels reproduce rapidly, forming dense colonies on underwater surfaces that can clog pipes, pumps and critical water infrastructure while disrupting local ecosystems. — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

Much of the campaign focused on educating beachgoers about the presence of the quirky birds known for their piercing calls and habit of using their razor sharp bills to crack open oysters and mussels. — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 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