eggshell

noun egg·shell \ ˈeg-ˌshel , ˈāg- \

|Updated on: 3 Jul 2018

Definition of eggshell

1 : the hard exterior covering of an egg

2 : something resembling an eggshell especially in fragility

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Recent Examples of eggshell from the Web

Scientists then demonstrated that eggshells had grown thinner and less viable, which led to the banning of DDT.

— National Geographic, "One Obsessed Musician, 299 Birds, and a Very Weird Crime," 19 May 2018
Around 25,000 years ago, however, there is a switch over to using ostrich eggshells for the beads.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Remarkable Ancient Cave Site Shows Humanity's Evolving Relationship With Tools," 9 May 2018
There are political eggshells awaiting these groups.

— michelle boorstein, Washington Post, "To honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s death, Christian groups plan to confront racism. But what that means is unclear.," 2 Mar. 2018
Basically, the Graham’s are walking on eggshells, barely able to look each other in the eye.

— carl kelsch, Marie Claire, "The New Horror Film 'Hereditary' Might Be This Year's 'Get Out'," 8 June 2018
Also among the destinations are the National Center for the Performing Arts, an eggshell shaped building designed by the French architect Paul Andreu, and Tiananmen Square.

— shivani vora, New York Times, "Five Motorcycle Sidecar Tours With Views You’ll Never Get on a Bus," 23 Jan. 2018
And Bubbly — a twinkling champagne — is taking the place of Bae, which was a matte eggshell.

— devon abelman, Allure, "7 Ways Huda Beauty's New Rose Gold Remastered Eye Palette Is Different From the Original," 25 May 2018
Suffice to say that Bembury, who has served as Versace’s head designer of sneakers since last fall, didn’t get his gig with an eggshell business card.

— sam schube, GQ, "The Versace Chain Reaction Takes the House that Medusa Built into 2018," 9 May 2018
On another note, most paint samples come in a matte finish, which is slightly less glossy than eggshell, but more glossy than flat paint.

— brian sodoma, azcentral, "High-gloss? Eggshell? Satin? When to use which sheen for your painting project," 9 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'eggshell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of eggshell

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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eggshell

adjective

Definition of eggshell

1 : thin and fragile

2 : slightly glossy

3 : yellowish white

Recent Examples of eggshell from the Web

Let’s try this again: Imagine the color of cream cheese, that off-white, almost yellowish or eggshell white hue that graces our bagels and our cheesecakes in dense, creamy swirls.

— SI.com, "These Sneakers Were Inspired by Philadelphia Cream Cheese," 20 Oct. 2017