shellfish
noun
shell·fish
ˈshel-ˌfish 
: an aquatic invertebrate animal with a shell
especially
: an edible mollusk or crustacean
Examples of shellfish in a Sentence
lobsters, crabs, and other shellfish
Recent Examples on the Web
Can people who are allergic to shellfish eat imitation crab?
—
Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2024
The company is actively seeking shellfish nurseries and hatcheries to partner with on future projects.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Mar. 2024
In order to prevent illness, the CDC recommends washing your hands, rinsing fruits and vegetables and cooking shellfish thoroughly.
—Amanda Sealy, CNN, 24 Feb. 2024
The seafood department is full-service, with wild and farm-raised fish, as well as shellfish.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2024
The prep sink was filled with raw oysters but inspectors didn’t see shellfish tags on them, Wednesday’s report said.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024
Indentured servants in one household even took their employers to court, winning a ruling that they could be required to eat the shellfish only three times each week.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
For example, omega-3 fatty acids in fish and shellfish promote fetal brain development, and the folate in peanuts helps prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
—Kaitlin Bell, Parents, 6 Feb. 2024
After dozens of reports of illnesses potentially linked to raw oysters, public health officials across Southern California are warning consumers to ask where the shellfish at their favorite seafood joint comes from.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2024
Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2024
The company is actively seeking shellfish nurseries and hatcheries to partner with on future projects.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Mar. 2024
In order to prevent illness, the CDC recommends washing your hands, rinsing fruits and vegetables and cooking shellfish thoroughly.
—Amanda Sealy, CNN, 24 Feb. 2024
The seafood department is full-service, with wild and farm-raised fish, as well as shellfish.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2024
The prep sink was filled with raw oysters but inspectors didn’t see shellfish tags on them, Wednesday’s report said.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024
Indentured servants in one household even took their employers to court, winning a ruling that they could be required to eat the shellfish only three times each week.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
For example, omega-3 fatty acids in fish and shellfish promote fetal brain development, and the folate in peanuts helps prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
—Kaitlin Bell, Parents, 6 Feb. 2024
After dozens of reports of illnesses potentially linked to raw oysters, public health officials across Southern California are warning consumers to ask where the shellfish at their favorite seafood joint comes from.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shellfish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of shellfish was
before the 12th century
Dictionary Entries Near shellfish
Cite this Entry
“Shellfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shellfish. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
shellfish
noun
shell·fish
ˈshel-ˌfish
: an invertebrate animal that lives in water and has a shell
especially
: an edible mollusk (as an oyster) or crustacean (as a crab)
More from Merriam-Webster on shellfish
Nglish: Translation of shellfish for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shellfish
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