shellfish

noun

shell·​fish ˈshel-ˌfish 

: an aquatic invertebrate animal with a shell

especially : an edible mollusk or crustacean

Examples of shellfish in a Sentence

lobsters, crabs, and other shellfish

Recent Examples on the Web

Caused by certain algal blooms, domoic acid is a neurotoxin that can accumulate in fish, shellfish and other invertebrates. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Nature’s finger food is a high-effort, modest-yield treat, like shellfish or certain nuts, where a lot of work goes into exposing a smallish bit of what’s edible. — The Editors, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

Within a few hours the couple, both in their mid-40s, has filled the boat with shellfish, sea urchins, mussels and crabs that Leviñanco will sell at the market in Melinka, the main island in the Guaitecas Archipelago. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

Multiple shellstock tags from prior days were not labeled with the last date the shellfish was sold. — Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shellfish

• bluefish
• catfish
• codfish
• crawfish
• dogfish
• finfish
• flatfish
• goldfish
• groundfish
• kingfish
• offish
• redfish

Kids Definition

shellfish

noun

shell·​fish ˈshel-ˌfish 

: an invertebrate animal that lives in water and has a shell

especially : an edible mollusk (as an oyster) or crustacean (as a crab)