quahog

noun

qua·​hog ˈkō-ˌhȯg How to pronounce quahog (audio) ˈkwȯ- How to pronounce quahog (audio)
ˈkwō-,
-ˌhäg
variants or less commonly quahaug
: a thick-shelled edible clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) of the U.S.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Overland’s pearl grew in a Cherrystone Aqua Farms northern quahog in the Chesapeake Bay. Shannon Marvel Mcnaught, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2022 In this case, the clam was a northern quahog grown by Cherrystone Aqua Farms in the Chesapeake Bay. Shannon Marvel Mcnaught, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2022 The tribute would have taken the form of wampum, or shell beads, that New England Indians manufactured from local quahog (in the case of purple beads) and periwinkle and whelk (in the case of white beads). National Geographic, 19 Nov. 2020 Andrade’s Catch has managed to support quahog sales, at least at a small scale. New York Times, 27 Mar. 2020 The group is working with four shellfish farmers to grow quahogs in Maine and study the results. USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2019 Ocean quahogs are declining near the Cape and increasing to the north, both because of warming and ocean acidification. BostonGlobe.com, 26 Sep. 2019 They were perfectly preserved inside the shells of southern quahogs. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 23 July 2019 Pinsky points to species such as Atlantic halibut, winter flounder, and ocean quahog that have disappeared from historical habitats and are important to fisheries. National Geographic, 24 Apr. 2019 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

modification of Narragansett poquaûhock

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quahog was in 1753

Dictionary Entries Near quahog

Cite this Entry

“Quahog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quahog. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

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