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

The short that got me this job was like a $15,000 short with a comedian named Nick Thune and a lobster, and that was it. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025

Known for its modern take on South Carolina's culinary past, the restaurant focuses on elevated lowcountry and southern cuisine with dishes like red cornmeal fried oysters, lobster arancini, and lowcountry pirlou with butter-poached lobster, crab, shrimp, mussels, saffron, and more. —Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2025

The menu includes main courses like lobster and mussel sancocho (a stew); beef loin con pan and turbot Encendido, served with sides like yuca cremoso with rosemary tostones, sazon spinach and green peas and rice. —Miami Herald, 14 Nov. 2025

Kona Grill On the north side of Brush Creek, Kona Grill will cook up seasonal dishes like pumpkin mocha martini and pumpkin lobster and mushroom ravioli. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 13 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