lobster

noun

lob·​ster ˈläb-stər How to pronounce lobster (audio)
often attributive
1
: any of a family (Nephropidae and especially Homarus americanus) of large edible marine decapod crustaceans that have stalked eyes, a pair of large claws, and a long abdomen and that include species from coasts on both sides of the North Atlantic and from the Cape of Good Hope
2
lobsterlike adjective

Illustration of lobster

Illustration of lobster
  • lobster 1

Examples of lobster in a Sentence

I had lobster for dinner.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The social heart is Marcus Restaurant + Terrace by chef Marcus Samuelsson, where solarium-style windows and a leafy terrace create an airy urban backdrop for dishes like fresh pasta with lobster and chili or roasted eggplant with togarashi, sweet-and-sour sauce, and Québec maple syrup. Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025 There are also enhancements like lobster tail, shrimp and roasted bone marrow, and Oscar-style, with crab, asparagus and Bearnaise sauce. Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025 Sturgeon from the Delaware River were likely fastened to a spit and basted with butter, then sprinkled with flour, nutmeg, mace, salt, sweet herbs, and breadcrumbs before being dressed in a tangy sauce that usually included anchovy, lobster, lemon, horseradish, and white wine. Victoria Flexner, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025 Spaces to roam are flanked by a central courtyard restaurant that buzzes with diners who feast over The House’s signature lobster pasta, moquecas (Brazilian fish stew), and cassava gnocchi. Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lobster

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English loppestre, from loppe spider

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lobster was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lobster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lobster. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

lobster

noun
lob·​ster ˈläb-stər How to pronounce lobster (audio)
: any of several large edible marine crustaceans with stalked eyes, a pair of large claws, and a long abdomen
also : spiny lobster

More from Merriam-Webster on lobster

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!