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

Now work your way around, placing the mussels in concentric rings or a spiral until they’re all arranged. —Peter Barrett, Outside, 30 Aug. 2025

As highly-invasive golden mussels spread across California waterways, officials are urging boaters to take thorough precautions to avoid introducing the species to unaffected waters over the busy Labor Day weekend. —Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Because of their large numbers and reproductive capacity, silver and bighead carp can eat faster than and starve native fish and mussels. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025

The film’s opening scenes are pleasingly attentive to the arduous labor and process of Jack’s daily work routine, as worn blue hands dredge crates of mussels from palpably freezing seawater. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025

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