mollusk

noun

mol·​lusk ˈmä-ləsk 

variants or mollusc

: 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

molluscan adjective

or less commonly molluskan

mə-ˈlə-skən 

mä-

Examples of mollusk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On land, movements range from crawling and slithering (worms, mollusks, arthropods, snakes) to walking and running. —Literary Hub, 22 June 2026

Their most striking characteristic is their human-like teeth designed to crunch through crabs and mollusks. —Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026

Once established, the mollusks are extremely difficult to eradicate and can damage drinking water systems, irrigation infrastructure and hydroelectric facilities while disrupting native aquatic ecosystems. —Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026

Archaeologists have been cataloging dump sites since at least the early 19th century, when Danish scientists began pawing through heaps of mollusk shells that had been discarded by their Stone Age ancestors. —Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

French mollusque, from New Latin Mollusca, from Latin, neuter plural of molluscus thin-shelled (of a nut), from mollis

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mollusk

• mollusc

Kids Definition

mollusk

noun

mol·​lusk

variants or mollusc

ˈmäl-əsk 

: any of a large phylum of invertebrate animals (as snails, clams, and octopuses) with a soft body lacking segments and usually enclosed in a shell containing calcium

molluscan adjective

also molluskan

mə-ˈləs-kən 

mä-

Medical Definition

mollusk

noun

mol·​lusk

variants or mollusc

ˈmäl-əsk 

: any invertebrate animal of the phylum Mollusca

molluscan adjective

also molluskan

mə-ˈles-kən, mä-