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

Authorities are also on the lookout for quagga mussels and zebra mussels, other longstanding invasive threats to the lake. —Rebecca-Ann Jattan, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2025

At the same time, conserving Wyoming’s fish and wildlife amid all the modern-day threats — things like chronic wasting disease and invasive zebra mussels — is getting more expensive. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 15 Jan. 2025

Altered water levels and temperatures can also disrupt ecosystems, harming native species while benefiting invasive ones like zebra mussels. —David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024

There, zebra mussels and quagga mussels have thrived and caused a major decline in the yellow perch fishery. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024

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