lobster

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

lobster caterpillar

2 of 2

noun (2)

variants or lobster

plural -s

: a caterpillar that has extremely long thoracic legs and two long caudal processes, rests in a grotesque position, and feeds on many trees and shrubs see lobster moth

Examples of lobster in a Sentence

Noun (1)

I had lobster for dinner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Feeding and living on the carcasses were myriad creatures, large and small, including sea cucumbers, squat lobsters and saltwater clams. —Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026

This dish showcases the delicate sweetness of creamy lobster, harmoniously complemented by the rich umami of wagyu tataki. —Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Nearby, local staples include Crazy Burger Cafe and Juice Bar for creative brunches and the Coast Guard House Restaurant for lobster rolls and ocean views perched directly above the water. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026

Boston gets a lot of attention for its classics—lobster rolls, Boston cream pie, clam chowder. —Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English loppestre, from loppe spider

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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