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

Shiki Seafood has a location in Temple City, which features a sprawling buffet of sashimi, sushi rolls, crab legs, shellfish, hot entrees, desserts and a chocolate fountain, among other offerings typical of large-format seafood buffets. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 7 May 2026

Oliver Dixon, a shellfish farmer based in Point Judith, Rhode Island, grows kelp to supplement his oyster business during the winter. —ABC News, 6 May 2026

Vibrio, a bacteria found in salt and brackish water, is contracted when wounds are exposed to water containing the bacteria or eat raw or undercooked shellfish. —Eva Flowe may 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026

In the kitchen is chef Kevin Gratton, who’s drawn on longstanding relationships with British producers, incorporating ingredients like Glenarm Estate salt-aged beef from Northern Ireland and Scottish shellfish delivered nightly on the train to Euston. —Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 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)