Definition of mollusk
: any of a large phylum (Mollusca) of invertebrate animals (such as snails, clams, or squids) with a soft unsegmented body usually enclosed in a calcareous shell; broadly : shellfish
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Recent Examples of mollusk from the Web
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At a TEDx talk in 2012, Friedman likened the seasteading movement to the Cambrian Explosion—a moment in evolutionary history when the globs and mollusks of the primordial soup gave way to a diverse array of complex organisms.
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Protected from wind and waves but continuously refreshed by the ocean spill-over, a lagoon’s unique ecosystem nurtures birds, fish, crabs, clams, mollusks, coral and every other marine organism including people.
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More than 200 species of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and invertebrates will live in a lifelike simulated Mediterranean environment.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mollusk'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of mollusk
French mollusque, from New Latin Mollusca, from Latin, neuter plural of molluscus thin-shelled (of a nut), from mollis
First Known Use: 1783
Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms
MOLLUSK Defined for English Language Learners
mollusk
playDefinition of mollusk for English Language Learners
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biology : any one of a large group of animals (such as snails and clams) that have a soft body without a backbone and that usually live in a shell
MOLLUSK Defined for Kids
mollusk
playDefinition of mollusk for Students
: an animal (as a clam, snail, or octopus) that lives mostly in water and has a soft body usually enclosed in a shell containing calcium
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about mollusk
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Spanish Central: Translation of mollusk Nglish: Translation of mollusk for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mollusk
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