lobster

noun

lob·​ster ˈläb-stər How to pronounce lobster (audio)
often attributive
1
: any of a family (Nephropidae and especially Homarus americanus) of large edible marine decapod crustaceans that have stalked eyes, a pair of large claws, and a long abdomen and that include species from coasts on both sides of the North Atlantic and from the Cape of Good Hope
2
: spiny lobster
lobsterlike
ˈläb-stər-ˌlīk How to pronounce lobster (audio)
adjective

Illustration of lobster

Illustration of lobster
  • lobster 1

Examples of lobster in a Sentence

I had lobster for dinner.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Halfway through my hands and feet went numb, then felt like fire, and then contorted into strange positions like lobster claws. — Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 The species, native to Western Europe and Africa, has few predators, aggressively hunts its prey, and can consume a wide variety of shellfish, including oysters, clams, mussels, lobsters, and other crabs. — Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 The small town is easy to explore on foot, with opportunities to join lobster boat tours or simply stroll the picturesque waterfront. — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2026 They could then even be used with biodegradable lobster-shell golf balls, which were previously developed at the University of Maine. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lobster

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English loppestre, from loppe spider

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lobster was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing lobster

Rhymes for lobster

See All Rhymes for lobster

Browse Nearby Words

lobsided
lobster
lobsterback
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lobster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lobster. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lobster

noun
lob·​ster ˈläb-stər How to pronounce lobster (audio)
: any of several large edible marine crustaceans with stalked eyes, a pair of large claws, and a long abdomen
also : spiny lobster

More from Merriam-Webster on lobster

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lobster

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