lobster

American  

[lob-ster] / ˈlɒb stər /

noun

plural

lobster,

plural

lobsters

1. any of various large, edible, marine, usually dull-green, stalk-eyed decapod crustaceans of the family Homaridae, especially of the genus Homarus, having large, asymmetrical pincers on the first pair of legs, one used for crushing and the other for cutting and tearing: the shell turns bright red when cooked.

2. spiny lobster.

3. any of various similar crustaceans, as certain crayfishes.

4. the edible meat of these animals.

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lobster British  

/ ˈlɒbstə /

noun

1. any of several large marine decapod crustaceans of the genus Homarus, esp H. vulgaris, occurring on rocky shores and having the first pair of limbs modified as large pincers

2. any of several similar crustaceans, esp the spiny lobster

3. the flesh of any of these crustaceans, eaten as a delicacy

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Etymology

Origin of lobster

before 1000; Middle English lopster, Old English loppestre literally, spidery creature ( loppe spider ( see lob ¹) + -stre -ster ); cf. lop ¹

Explanation

A lobster is a hard-shelled animal that lives in salt water and has two big front claws, or pincers. People who are familiar with red cooked lobsters might be surprised to see that when they're alive they are brown, gray, or even blue. Lobsters are large crustaceans, which means they're related to shrimp, crabs, crawfish, and even barnacles. They live and feed on the bottom of the ocean, crawling on their ten legs and eating fish, worms, and sea plants. As a food, lobster is considered a delicacy today — although before the mid-19th century, it was thought of as food for poor people and prisoners in coastal New England.

Example Sentences

Lobster and caviar rolls sit next to five-cheese pizza rolls.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

Red Lobster is reviving its Endless Shrimp promotion on a limited-time basis, the first time it has offered the deal since its 2024 bankruptcy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

It was inspired by singer Katie Pierson's own house, just outside Athens, Georgia, where the band had created cult classics like Rock Lobster and Private Idaho.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Even John Lennon was a fan – famously telling Rolling Stone that Rock Lobster inspired his return to music after a five year hiatus.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Lobster is stuck in there until you pull the trap.

From "The Young Man and the Sea" by Rodman Philbrick

Related Words

• clam
• conch
• crawfish
• crustacean
• mollusk
• mussel
• oyster
• prawn
• scallop
• shrimp
• snail