mollusk

noun

mol·​lusk ˈmä-ləsk 

variants or mollusc

: any of a large phylum (Mollusca) of invertebrate animals (such as snails, clams, or squids) with a soft unsegmented body usually enclosed in a calcareous shell

broadly : shellfish

molluscan adjective

or less commonly molluskan

mə-ˈlə-skən 

mä-

Examples of mollusk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There's original fare as well, such as an Italian rom-com and a heartwarming dramedy with Field, Lewis Pullman and an opinionated mollusk. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 May 2026

Hilary Crowley, a county spokeswoman, said a $100 million floodgate completed in 2024 has been infested with the relentless mollusks, requiring an expensive removal. —Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 8 May 2026

Meanwhile, early versions of mollusks and sponges populated the seafloor as jellyfish floated above. —Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 1 May 2026

Pearls, on the other hand, are made by soft-bodied mollusks in reaction to an irritant that has entered their shell. —Caitlin Kennedy, Scientific American, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French mollusque, from New Latin Mollusca, from Latin, neuter plural of molluscus thin-shelled (of a nut), from mollis

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mollusk

• mollusc

Kids Definition

mollusk

noun

mol·​lusk

variants or mollusc

ˈmäl-əsk 

: any of a large phylum of invertebrate animals (as snails, clams, and octopuses) with a soft body lacking segments and usually enclosed in a shell containing calcium

molluscan adjective

also molluskan

mə-ˈləs-kən 

mä-

Medical Definition

mollusk

noun

mol·​lusk

variants or mollusc

ˈmäl-əsk 

: any invertebrate animal of the phylum Mollusca

molluscan adjective

also molluskan

mə-ˈles-kən, mä-