zebra mussel

noun

: a chiefly freshwater Eurasian bivalve mollusk (Dreissena polymorpha) that was accidentally introduced into the Great Lakes and has spread to other waterways where it colonizes and clogs water intake pipes and competes with native fish for food

Examples of zebra mussel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Viruses, as well as small bits of vegetation and invasive zebra mussel larvae, can hide in the plumbing of your rig. —Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025

The invasive species that has inflicted the most environmental and economic harm on the Great Lakes is the zebra mussel. —Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025

State officials had taken water samples from Lake Gervais, Kohlman Lake, Keller Lake and Spoon Lake to check for zebra mussel larvae. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025

On Monday, Parks and Wildlife confirmed that the adult zebra mussels were found in the Colorado River in early September. —Ali Longwell, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

so named from a comparison of the irregular dark striping on the shell to a zebra's stripes

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for zebra mussel

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