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

This includes flowers, topiaries and gardens for spring; lobsters, starfish and octopuses for summer and holiday themed patterns, including snowmen and Santa Claus for Christmas. —Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026

Taipei / Beijing — At China’s hot new tech events, lobsters are everywhere –– lobster balloons, lobster headbands, lobster plushies in claw machines, even live lobsters in an inflatable kiddie pool. —CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026

Wallis Simpson, who orders many pieces for her trousseau from Schiaparelli, will be photographed in a lobster dress by Cecil Beaton for Vogue. —Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026

In December 2025, thieves in Massachusetts stole a truck stuffed with $400,000 in lobster meat bound for Costco stores in Illinois and Minnesota. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026

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