shellfish

noun

shell·​fish ˈshel-ˌfish How to pronounce shellfish (audio)
: an aquatic invertebrate animal with a shell
especially : an edible mollusk or crustacean

Examples of shellfish in a Sentence

lobsters, crabs, and other shellfish
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.
The others are milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025 Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium that typically lives in warm, brackish seawater, can infect people who eat raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 17 July 2025 Junger’s plan forbade coffee, alcohol, dairy, eggs, sugar, shellfish, deepwater fish, potatoes, tomatoes, bell pepper, eggplant, corn, wheat, meat, soy, and anything processed. Liz McNeil, People.com, 16 July 2025 They should also be avoided by those with a shellfish or fish allergy.5 Common side effects of omega-3 include:2 Black cohosh is a plant native to North America and is a member of the buttercup family. Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for shellfish

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

shellfish

noun
shell·​fish ˈshel-ˌfish How to pronounce shellfish (audio)
: an invertebrate animal that lives in water and has a shell
especially : an edible mollusk (as an oyster) or crustacean (as a crab)

More from Merriam-Webster on shellfish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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