zebra mussel

noun

: a chiefly freshwater Eurasian bivalve mollusk (Dreissena polymorpha) that was accidentally introduced into the Great Lakes and has spread to other waterways where it colonizes and clogs water intake pipes and competes with native fish for food

Examples of zebra mussel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Robling gave a presentation to lawmakers on Thursday that included information on zebra mussels. —Joshua Haiar, States Newsroom, 21 Jan. 2026

The invasive mussels popping up in Lake Superior are primarily zebra mussels. —Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 20 Jan. 2026

State law requires boaters, anglers and waterfront property owners to take a variety of actions to prevent the spread of zebra mussels, regardless of whether a lake has an infestation, according to the DNR. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 16 Jan. 2026

Viruses, as well as small bits of vegetation and invasive zebra mussel larvae, can hide in the plumbing of your rig. —Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

so named from a comparison of the irregular dark striping on the shell to a zebra's stripes

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for zebra mussel

• bustle
• hustle
• muscle
• russel
• rustle
• trussell
• tussle
• mofussil