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

Their diet is highly varied, and they have been known to eat fish, lobsters, birds, turtles, dead animals and even garbage. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026

When Connie & Ted’s first opened, lobster might cost the restaurant $4 or $5 per pound during the summer months, resulting in lobster rolls that sold for roughly $25. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026

Saltie Girl Launching Memorial Day weekend Saltie Girl’s limited-edition lobster roll in partnership with TABASCO® is available through Labor Day. —Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

The meal kicks off with caviar croquetas, which feature caviar in the bechamel sauce as well as a lobster roll with caviar (and a whole claw topping it off). —Connie Ogle may 20, Miami Herald, 20 May 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