seashell

American  

[see-shel] / ˈsiˌʃɛl /

Or sea shell

noun

1. the shell of any marine mollusk.

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seashell British  

/ ˈsiːˌʃɛl /

noun

1. the empty shell of a marine mollusc

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Etymology

Origin of seashell

before 900; Old English sǣscill (not recorded in Middle English ) see sea, shell

Explanation

Many sea creatures live inside hard, protective cases called seashells. If you find a seashell on the beach, think of it as a tiny abandoned home of a sea creature. You can also call a seashell a shell, although "sea" distinguishes ocean shells from those of freshwater mollusks. If you've ever walked on a beach, you've seen seashells, and maybe even collected some to take home (after checking to make sure no tiny creatures were living inside). Clams, snails, and oysters are all examples of animals that live in seashells. One of the most famous mentions of this word appears in the tongue twister: "She sells seashells by the seashore." Try saying that ten times, fast!

Example Sentences

To strike that balance, residents still will be encouraged to name their homes “because that’s a quirky Carmel thing,” said Twomey, who lives in a home dubbed Seashell.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

At MacPherson’s, the produce is always neatly displayed, fresh herbs are hand-packed in individual Ziploc bags, and an elusive shop cat, Seashell, wanders the aisles.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 28, 2023

Seashell collectors came to scour Sanibel’s beaches, renowned for their diverse bounty.

From Washington Post • Oct. 2, 2022

Seashell Coker, twenty-two, musician and model, New York, 2016.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 14, 2016

She was an expert at lip-reading from ten years of apprenticeship at Seashell ear-thimbles.

From "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury