lobster

noun

lob·​ster ˈläb-stər 

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

: spiny lobster

lobsterlike

ˈläb-stər-ˌlīk 

adjective

Illustration of lobster

• lobster 1

Examples of lobster in a Sentence

I had lobster for dinner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Make a whole night out of the last day of 2025 by starting with a four-course prix fixe meal at Fahrenheit, featuring sea bass, filet and king crab, stuff lobster and more. —Evan Moore november 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Nov. 2025

Seeing whole — and sometimes live — lobsters, crabs, octopuses, and fish in our kitchen was nothing out of the ordinary, and things like chicken feet and pigs' heads were readily available at our neighborhood grocery store. —Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Nov. 2025

And on Vis, Konoba Jastožera, a rustic over-the-water spot, serves lobster caught right at your table. —Lucija Boras, Travel + Leisure, 25 Nov. 2025

Pasta will also be available, like lobster spaghetti in bisque and spicy rigatoni with Calabrian chili. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 25 Nov. 2025

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

Phrases Containing lobster

• hanging lobster claw
• lobster claw
• lobster pot
• lobster shift
• lobster thermidor
• lobster trap
• Norway lobster
• rock lobster
• spiny lobster

Rhymes for lobster

• mobster

Kids Definition

lobster

noun

lob·​ster ˈläb-stər 

: any of several large edible marine crustaceans with stalked eyes, a pair of large claws, and a long abdomen

also : spiny lobster