shellfish

American  

[shel-fish] / ˈʃɛlˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

shellfish,

plural

shellfishes

1. an aquatic animal having a shell, as the oyster and other mollusks and the lobster and other crustaceans.

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shellfish British  

/ ˈʃɛlˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any aquatic invertebrate having a shell or shell-like carapace, esp such an animal used as human food. Examples are crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters and molluscs such as oysters

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Etymology

Origin of shellfish

before 900; Middle English; Old English scilfisc. See shell, fish

Example Sentences

If the person asks you to explain how it works, just pretend to trip, then throw yourself into the shrimp tower, yell something about a shellfish allergy, and run.

From Barron's

I also like to keep welcome gifts what I think of as “airplane- and pre-K–safe,” meaning I tend to avoid ingredients that aren’t allowed in those spaces, like peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish.

From Salon

The octopus increase does however pose a problem for shellfish species around the UK shores.

From BBC

As filter feeders, shellfish like oysters contribute to improving water quality.

From BBC

The individual had consumed high amounts of animal protein, including fish and possibly shellfish that fed on ancient carbon sources, creating a known "reservoir" effect in the bones.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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