lobster

[lob-ster]

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.

lobster

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lobster¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lobster¹

Old English loppestre, from loppe spider

Example Sentences

Overlooking the Chicago River, the seafood restaurant offers the expected raw bar, fish plates, lobster roll and fish sandwiches.

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Bright blue lobsters have long been considered one of nature's wonders, widely touted as a one-in-two-million find.

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Kim left the North Korean capital on Monday evening onboard his armoured train, which is said to include a restaurant car serving fine French wines and dishes like fresh lobster.

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“Just like lobsters, oysters started out as food for the poor, then became luxury delicacies,” Kennedy pointed out.

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In his drawing Sunburned, Sir Billy shows a Tartan-clad man whose skin tone is lobster red.

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Related Words

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