: any of numerous marine bivalve lamellibranch mollusks (family Pectinidae) that have a radially ribbed shell with the edge undulated and that swim by opening and closing the valves
b
: the adductor muscle of a scallop as an article of food
2
a
: a valve or shell of a scallop
b
: a baking dish shaped like a valve of a scallop
3
: one of a continuous series of circle segments or angular projections forming a border (as on cloth or metal)
Serving up favorites like the British chef’s beef Wellington, seared scallops or lobster risotto, customers can immerse themselves in the high-stakes kitchen across the country in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Mashantucket, Conn.; Lake Tahoe, Nev.; Las Vegas; Valley Center, Calif.; and Washington D.C.—Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2023 Normally rugs come in pretty traditional shapes like rectangle and round, but this retailer has elegant arches, swoopy scallops, and rounded edges, a visual interest smorgasbord for floor coverings.—Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2023 Regines has Argentinian prawn toast, Wagyu sliders, tempura lobster, scallops, and sushi and sashimi platters.—Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas News, 11 Sep. 2023 Shareable plates will include Wagyu tartare, scallop and shrimp aguachile, charred broccoli with labneh, carbonara mac, curry mussels, cioppino linguine, duck carnitas and whole roasted Ensenada bass prepared al pastor-style.—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2023 During the 2023 scallop fishery, more than 1,000 warning messages went out to nearly 100 vessels.—Laura Trethewey, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Sep. 2023 The fish house makes the most out of its proximity to the ocean by serving up classics from calamari to crab cakes, mussels, flounder, scallops and more.—Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 21 Aug. 2023 Swift wore a two piece from Hill House Home made up from a strapless cropped June Nap Top and a matching Delphine Nap Skirt made from black scallop lace.—Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 19 Aug. 2023 Great options include mussels, scallops and chunks of firm-fleshed fish like swordfish, cod, halibut, mahi-mahi and monkfish.—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 11 Aug. 2023
Verb
Today Almería is a sleepy provincial port surrounded by mountains that travelers often pass through quickly en route to the beaches that scallop the coast.—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Aug. 2023 Everyday tasks are elevated with warm woods and handcrafted one-of-a-kind pieces, like their checkerboard wood scalloped coasters.—Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 2 Aug. 2023 Worse yet, pavement that's scalloped near the shoulder gives the front end fits.—Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 11 May 2023 The steering holds up its end of the bargain, imparting a confident sense of straight-ahead unfettered by crosswinds and scalloped road edges.—Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver, 13 May 2023 Yet the counter is always buzzing and stocks a full daily selection of fish for sushi: hamachi, Hokkaido scallops, ahi tuna, bluefin tuna, octopus, Scottish salmon.—Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2023 The mantel and dining table were covered with fresh flowers: red tulips and scalloped pink ranunculus the size of baby cabbages.—Jenna Wortham, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2023 The bra has scalloped edges for a more textured look and features silicone lining to keep it from slipping even on smaller chests.—Jenna Clark, Women's Health, 30 Mar. 2023 The Kardashians star, 27, selected a metallic bronze Jean Paul Gaultier dress with shimmery scalloped edges and rosette appliqués.—Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2023 See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scallop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English scalop, from Anglo-French escalope shell, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch schelpe shell
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