abalone

noun

ab·​a·​lo·​ne ˌa-bə-ˈlō-nē  ˈa-bə-ˌlō-nē 

: any of a genus (Haliotis) of edible rock-clinging gastropod mollusks that have a flattened shell slightly spiral in form, lined with mother-of-pearl, and with a row of apertures along its outer edge

Examples of abalone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Greek jeweler Melanie Georgacopoulos elevates pearls, abalone and mother of pearl to wearable art, in a striking palette ranging from off-white through to deep violet. —Kate Matthams, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

In 2020, a Santa Rosa man was fined $40,000 and his sportfishing license was revoked after investigators found 80 abalone in his home. —Chaewon Chung december 11, Sacbee.com, 11 Dec. 2025

There’s a Japanese influence to the menu, and Kammerer serves dishes like barbecue kohlrabi with Douglas fir and campfire butter as well as Monterrey Bay abalone roasted in kelp and served with sea vegetable vinegar. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025

Along our coasts, abalone poaching has become a global criminal enterprise. —Dion George, Time, 13 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish abulón, from Rumsen (Ohlone language of Monterey Bay, California) aulon

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for abalone

• atony
• baloney
• begone
• canzone
• estrone
• fanconi
• mansoni
• moloney
• morone
• ngoni
• pallone
• quinone

Kids Definition

abalone

noun

ab·​a·​lo·​ne ˌab-ə-ˈlō-nē  ˈab-ə-ˌ 

: a mollusk with a flattened slightly spiral shell that has holes along the edge and is lined with mother-of-pearl