mussel

noun mus·sel \ ˈmə-səl \

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Definition of mussel

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

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Recent Examples of mussel from the Web

The kelp grows on a floating farm, along with mussels and pens full of steelhead trout.

— gary dzen, BostonGlobe.com, "A seaweed beer brewed in N.H.," 24 June 2018
The markets have had a big influence on the local dining scene, from California cuisine pioneer Michael’s (reinvigorated under chef Miles Thompson) to Rustic Canyon (the pozole verde with mussels is a classic).

— matt jaffe, SFChronicle.com, "Green travel in (gasp!) Los Angeles is easier than you think," 19 June 2018
That surf-and-turf spirit lingered through a bowl of golden mussels with ornaments of Spanish chorizo, missing only a deeper well of broth to more thoroughly integrate the flavors.

— mike sutter, San Antonio Express-News, "Review: New Dominion restaurant Acú Bistro Bar aims high but misses a few," 7 June 2018
Asian and silver carp, which can grow up to 50 pounds, devour this important resource leaving little for larval fish and native mussels.

— kale williams, OregonLive.com, "Meet the 11 invasive species wreaking havoc on Oregon's environment," 30 May 2018
This time, three of 18 sets of mussels analyzed tested positive for oxycodone, Lanksbury told the station.

— NBC News, "Traces of opioids found in mussels in Puget Sound near Seattle," 25 May 2018
Scientists used cages to transplant clean mussels from an aquaculture source on Whidbey Island to 18 urbanized locations around Puget Sound.

— christina capatides, CBS News, "Mussels off the coast of Seattle test positive for opioids," 24 May 2018
Get cozy at a local winery, sipping sauvignon blanc, and then head back to any number of local Havelock restaurants for a bowl of mussels and fresh baked bread.

— cnt editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "Before She Was Royal: Meghan Markle's Camper Van Road Trip Through New Zealand," 17 May 2018
The Bildas, Beauchamp and Newman also all work together to come up with various specials to keep things fresh, such as a recent offering of salmon with roasted tomatoes, and artichokes and garlic mussels in a white wine sauce.

— geoff bruce, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Bilda's Friess Lake Pub builds family atmosphere in Hubertus," 8 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mussel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.