abalone

American  

[ab-uh-loh-nee] / ˌæb əˈloʊ ni /

noun

1. a large mollusk of the genus Haliotis, having a bowllike shell bearing a row of respiratory holes, the flesh of which is used for food and the shell for ornament and as a source of mother-of-pearl.

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abalone British  

/ ˌæbəˈləʊnɪ /

noun

1. Also called: ear shell.  any of various edible marine gastropod molluscs of the genus Haliotis, having an ear-shaped shell that is perforated with a row of respiratory holes. The shells are used for ornament or decoration See also ormer

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Etymology

Origin of abalone

1840–50, taken as singular of California Spanish abulones, plural of abulón, aulón < a word in Rumsen, a Costanoan language formerly spoken at Monterey, California

Example Sentences

Kim Namin, 29, runs a seasoned gim processing factory with a 30-year family history in Wando, an island in South Korea's southern waters known for abalone and seaweed production.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

On special is an abalone soup, an alien beast in his time, and not our cup of tea, but they say Hemingway took a shine.

From Salon • Jul. 12, 2025

But abalone have a slow reproductive rate, and their populations have been decimated due to overfishing, marine heat waves and other environmental stressors.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2025

Due to the condition of the abalone recovered from the vehicle, police said they could not be returned to their natural habitat and had to be disposed.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2025

It reminded me of my mother’s abalone brooch, lovely and rare.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

Related Words

• mollusk