bivalve

1 of 2

adjective

bi·​valve ˈbī-ˌvalv How to pronounce bivalve (audio)
: being or having a shell composed of two valves

bivalve

2 of 2

noun

: any of a class (Bivalvia synonym Pelecypoda) of typically marine mollusks (such as clams, oysters, or scallops) that have a 2-valved hinged shell, are usually filter feeders, and lack a distinct head

Examples of bivalve in a Sentence

Noun clams, mussels, oysters, and other bivalves
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.
Adjective
Until then, fans of oysters or the bivalve-curious can get a taste for what’s to come at several pop-ups that Hayden is putting together. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 These bivalve cancers have emerged independently at least ten times, with some even jumping species or crossing oceans. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Noun
Some from standard locales like Maine and Washington, but also bivalves from Alaska, small oysters from the Gulf Coast and even Baja California. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026 The increase comes amid continuing worries about golden mussels, an invasive bivalve from China that reproduce rapidly and attach to boats, trailers, pipes, pumps and other underwater surfaces. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bivalve

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1661, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1683, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bivalve was in 1661

Rhymes for bivalve

See All Rhymes for bivalve

Browse Nearby Words

bivalent
bivalve
Bivalvia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bivalve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bivalve. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bivalve

1 of 2 adjective
bi·​valve ˈbī-ˌvalv How to pronounce bivalve (audio)
: having or being a shell composed of two movable valves
a bivalve mollusk

bivalve

2 of 2 noun
: any of a class of typically marine mollusks (as clams, oysters, and scallops) that have a shell made up of two parts joined by a hinge, are usually filter feeders, and lack a distinct head

Medical Definition

bivalve

1 of 2 adjective
bi·​valve ˈbī-ˌvalv How to pronounce bivalve (audio)
variants also bivalved
-ˌvalvd How to pronounce bivalve (audio)
: having or consisting of two corresponding movable pieces suggesting the shells of mollusks
a bivalve speculum
a bivalve cast

bivalve

2 of 2 transitive verb
bivalved; bivalving
: to split (a cast) along one or two sides (as to relieve pressure)

More from Merriam-Webster on bivalve

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bivalve

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