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

The agency said most people who become infected do so by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters, while some get infected through an open wound that comes into contact with coastal waters. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2026

Although a favorite among seafood lovers, the shellfish is also taking over the habitats of local shellfish, and even hybridizing with similar species. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 July 2026

In materials released to attendees, the Division of Marine Fisheries stated the shellfish harvesting areas could be opened on July 9 at the earliest. — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026

The rules reportedly indicate shellfish is avoided, as is raw or rare meat. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 July 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)