clam

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈklam 

: clamp, clasp

clam

2 of 3

noun (2)

often attributive

1

a

: any of numerous edible marine bivalve mollusks living in sand or mud

b

: a freshwater mussel

2

: a stolid or closemouthed person

3

: clamshell

4

informal : dollar sense 1

Illustration of clam

• a incurrent orifice
• b siphon
• c excurrent orifice
• d mantle
• e shell
• f foot

clam

3 of 3

verb

clammed; clamming

intransitive verb

: to gather clams especially by digging

clammer

ˈkla-mər 

noun

Synonyms of clam

Noun (2)

• dollar
• buck

Examples of clam in a Sentence

Noun (2)

it must take a whole lot of clams to buy a car like that

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The outbreak was then linked to raw oysters harvested by Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, and Manila clams harvested by Lummi Indian Business Council. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026

Once a bustling railroad and shipping hub, Cedar Key is now best known for its thriving clam industry and its Old Florida charm. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026

Verb

The town boasts a fascinating history of shipbuilders, sea captains, clamming, and foreign trade. —Daisy MacLellan, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2026

Swim in your pool and go clamming. —Clio Chang, Curbed, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English clamm bond, fetter; akin to Old High German klamma constriction and perhaps to Latin glomus ball

Noun (2)

clam entry 1; from the clamping action of the shells

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1676, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing clam

• (as) happy as a clam
• butter clam
• clam up
• clam worm
• giant clam
• hard clam
• hard-shell clam
• Manhattan clam chowder
• pismo clam
• razor clam
• round clam
• soft-shell clam
• surf clam

Rhymes for clam

• am
• bam
• cham
• damme
• damn
• dram
• flam
• fram
• gram
• ham
• jam
• jamb

Kids Definition

clam

1 of 2 noun

ˈklam 

1

: any of numerous edible marine mollusks that have two hinged shells and live in sand or mud

2

: a freshwater mussel

clam

2 of 2 verb

clammed; clamming

: to dig or gather clams