1
: a marine bivalve mollusk (especially genus Mytilus) usually having a dark elongated shell
2
: a freshwater bivalve mollusk (as of Unio, Anodonta, or related genera) that is especially abundant in rivers of the central U.S. and has a shell lined with mother-of-pearl
Examples of mussel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The golden mussel, a freshwater mollusk native to Southeast Asia, was first detected in North America in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in October 2024.
—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
4 July 2026
Shrimp and mussels are a must for her seafood paella, though the queen of home cooking has also used lobster in the past.
—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 July 2026
Ochre is the new everyday eatery focused on South African cuisine and local ingredients, from fresh West Coast mussels, venison and Cape Malay favorites, like bobotie, curries, and pumpkin fritters.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 July 2026
The standout dinner order is the seafood paella, which arrives sizzling in a hot pan with shrimp, calamari, mussels, market fish, chorizo, and crispy bomba rice.
—
Kaila Yu,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mussel
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Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
4 July 2026
Shrimp and mussels are a must for her seafood paella, though the queen of home cooking has also used lobster in the past.
—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 July 2026
Ochre is the new everyday eatery focused on South African cuisine and local ingredients, from fresh West Coast mussels, venison and Cape Malay favorites, like bobotie, curries, and pumpkin fritters.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 July 2026
The standout dinner order is the seafood paella, which arrives sizzling in a hot pan with shrimp, calamari, mussels, market fish, chorizo, and crispy bomba rice.
—
Kaila Yu,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mussel
Cite this Entry
“Mussel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mussel. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mussel
noun
mus·sel
ˈməs-əl 
1
: any of various edible saltwater mollusks with a long dark hinged double shell
2
: any of numerous freshwater mollusks of rivers of the central U.S. whose hinged double shells are lined with mother-of-pearl
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