clamshell

noun

clam·​shell ˈklam-ˌshel 

1

: the shell of a clam

2

a

: a bucket or grapple (as on a dredge) having two hinged jaws

b

: an excavating machine having a clamshell

c

: either of a pair of doors (as in an airplane tail) that open out and away from each other

d

: a hinged container, case, or cover that opens like the shell of a clam

Examples of clamshell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Oh, right – instead of a cockpit, the aircraft has a pair of clamshell doors and no place for a crew. —David Szondy march 11, New Atlas, 11 Mar. 2026

Teams of ships—cutter dredges that steer underwater drill bits, clamshell dredges that swing a bivalve bucket over the shore and pump dredges that suck sediment from the riverbed—work in relatively quick succession. —Patrick Sisson, Scientific American, 9 Mar. 2026

Today Max is making two large clamshells, which will hold seafood at a party. —Blair Braverman, Outside, 3 Mar. 2026

The Calpak Luka Mini Softside Carry-on feels more like a plush weekender than a spinner, and the Bagsmart Hardside Carry-on zips open clamshell-style and never fights me at TSA. —Brandon Schultz, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for clamshell

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• cogswell
• compel
• dispel

Kids Definition

clamshell

noun

clam·​shell ˈklam-ˌshel 

: the shell of a clam