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

Two other species of invasive mollusks, the zebra mussel and quagga mussel, have entered California over the past 20 years. —Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 8 May 2026

In 2018, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources confirmed invasive zebra mussels were present in a Minneapolis lake, Bde Maka Ska, where Wheel Fun Rentals offers swan boats and kayaks. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026

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

Caitlin Looby Last August, Lauren Isbell dove around Mott Island Dock at Isle Royale National Park, plucking invasive zebra mussels from the lakebed – sometimes with her fingers, other times with a credit-card sized piece of plastic attached to a lanyard on her wrist. —Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 20 Jan. 2026

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