surf clam

noun

|Updated on: 27 Jun 2018

Definition of surf clam

: any of various typically rather large surf-dwelling edible clams (family Mactridae); especially : a common clam (Spisula solidissima) of the Atlantic coast chiefly from Nova Scotia to South Carolina

Recent Examples of surf clam from the Web

Now scientists like Saba want to know what might happen to animals that live in the Northeast, a region home to commercially important fishes, wild stocks of quahogs (clams), scallops, and surf clams that can't swim away from growing acidic waters.

— eric niiler, National Geographic, "The Ocean Is Getting More Acidic—What That Actually Means," 15 June 2018
This region is home to commercially important fishes, as well as wild stocks of quahogs, scallops, and surf clams that can't swim away from growing acidic waters.

— eric niiler, WIRED, "Ocean Acidification Could Be a Net Positive for Some Fish," 30 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'surf clam.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.