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

As carnivores, red-lipped batfish feed on small fish, crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs, worms and mollusks, employing a sit-and-wait ambush strategy that relies on camouflage and the element of surprise. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025

Among the artifacts recovered were 23 items associated with using psychoactive plants: short snuff tubes, flat tablets, and small spoons, all made of animal bone except for one made of a marine mollusk shell. —ArsTechnica, 5 May 2025

The mollusks are a threat to water infrastructure and native species. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2025

The mollusks can change their skin color on demand, and can even create a body double from a cloud of ink. —Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025

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-