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

Eating shellfish regularly supports immune, brain, and metabolic health. —Trista Chan, Health, 8 Jan. 2026

In addition to being great sources of vitamin D, shellfish, especially oysters, are an excellent source of zinc, providing 30 times more zinc than other animal proteins. —Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 7 Jan. 2026

Adley, who at Marigold rotates dishes regularly, is enticing diners to Heretik with a chicken operation and shellfish, oysters and sea urchins. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026

State officials announced that shellfish caught along certain outer sections of the Boston Harbor can now be eaten. —Logan Hall, CBS News, 3 Jan. 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)