mussel

noun

mus·​sel ˈmə-səl 

1

: a marine bivalve mollusk (especially genus Mytilus) usually having a dark elongated shell

2

: a freshwater bivalve mollusk (as of Unio, Anodonta, or related genera) that is especially abundant in rivers of the central U.S. and has a shell lined with mother-of-pearl

Examples of mussel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Invasive mussels have even promoted the growth of Cladophora by clearing up the water and allowing more light to shine to the bottom. —Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Fatty fish The American Heart Association recommends eating two servings of fatty fish like sardines, salmon, oysters, anchovies, and mussels each week. —Beth Krietsch, SELF, 22 Jan. 2026

Zebra mussels are tiny invasive shellfish, originally found in Asia and Europe, that spread by clinging to boats. —Joshua Haiar, States Newsroom, 21 Jan. 2026

While the smoky chorizo and meaty mussels might be the stars of this recipe, white beans take a subtle but necessary backseat. —Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English muscle, from Old English muscelle, from Vulgar Latin *muscula, from Latin musculus muscle, mussel

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mussel

• blue mussel
• quagga mussel
• zebra mussel

Rhymes for mussel

• bustle
• hustle
• muscle
• russel
• rustle
• trussell
• tussle
• mofussil

Kids Definition

mussel

noun

mus·​sel ˈməs-əl 

1

: any of various edible saltwater mollusks with a long dark hinged double shell

2

: any of numerous freshwater mollusks of rivers of the central U.S. whose hinged double shells are lined with mother-of-pearl