mollusk

noun

mol·​lusk ˈmä-ləsk How to pronounce mollusk (audio)
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 How to pronounce mollusk (audio)
mä-

Examples of mollusk in a Sentence

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.
Their most striking characteristic is their human-like teeth designed to crunch through crabs and mollusks. — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026 In the surrounding abyss, scientists have found mollusks, snails, worms, sea cucumbers, isopods, starfish and more. — Harry Stevens, New York Times, 3 June 2026 On land, movements range from crawling and slithering (worms, mollusks, arthropods, snakes) to walking and running. — Literary Hub, 22 June 2026 Among other posts, Pearce shares mollusk insights (paired with corny jokes) every Monday under the signature #MolluskMonday. — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for mollusk

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of mollusk was in 1783

Rhymes for mollusk

See All Rhymes for mollusk

Browse Nearby Words

Molluscoidea
mollusk
Mollweide projection
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mollusk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mollusk. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mollusk

noun
mol·​lusk
variants or mollusc
ˈmäl-əsk How to pronounce mollusk (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce mollusk (audio)
mä-

Medical Definition

mollusk

noun
mol·​lusk
variants or mollusc
ˈmäl-əsk How to pronounce mollusk (audio)
: any invertebrate animal of the phylum Mollusca
molluscan adjective
also molluskan
mə-ˈles-kən, mä- How to pronounce mollusk (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on mollusk

Nglish: Translation of mollusk for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mollusk

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