clamshell

noun

clam·​shell ˈklam-ˌshel How to pronounce clamshell (audio)
1
: the shell of a clam
2
a
: a bucket or grapple (as on a dredge) having two hinged jaws
b
: an excavating machine having a clamshell
c
: either of a pair of doors (as in an airplane tail) that open out and away from each other
d
: a hinged container, case, or cover that opens like the shell of a clam

Examples of clamshell 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.
Although Apple discontinued the colorful clamshell design after just two years, the Wi-Fi technology remains. Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 The Best Way To Store Strawberries For ultimate freshness, store your strawberries in the plastic clamshell container they were purchased in. Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 21 June 2025 Payload fairings are like clamshells that enclose the satellites mounted to the top of their launch vehicle, protecting them from weather on the launch pad and from airflow as the rocket accelerates to supersonic speeds. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025 The clamshell design and oversized durable zippers made packing easy, and the water-resistant fabric was dependable in harsher weather conditions. Donna Kim, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for clamshell

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clamshell was circa 1520

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Cite this Entry

“Clamshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamshell. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

clamshell

noun
clam·​shell ˈklam-ˌshel How to pronounce clamshell (audio)
: the shell of a clam

More from Merriam-Webster on clamshell

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