dentalium

1 of 2

noun (1)

den·​ta·​li·​um den-ˈtā-lē-əm 

plural dentalia den-ˈtā-lē-ə 

: any of a genus (Dentalium) of widely distributed tooth shells

broadly : tooth shell

dentale

2 of 2

noun (2)

den·​ta·​le

denˈta(ˌ)lē, 

-tā-, 

-tä-

plural dentalia -lēə 

: dentary

Examples of dentalium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Tribes also used currencies including turquoise, elk teeth and dentalium. — Adam Crepelle, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Nov. 2025

Her elegant dresses and caftans featured imagery of dentalium shells, flowers, elk teeth, and butterflies. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

New Latin, genus name, from Latin dentalis

Noun (2)

New Latin, from neuter of Latin dentalis dental

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1847, in the meaning defined above