clamshell

American  

[klam-shel] / ˈklæmˌʃɛl /

noun

1. the shell of a clam.

2. an object that has two hinged parts and that opens and closes like a clamshell, as a laptop computer or a box with a cover joined on one side.

   This clamshell is lightweight, convenient, and as powerful as my desktop computer.

3. Machinery.

   1. Also called clamshell bucket.  a dredging bucket opening at the bottom, consisting of two similar pieces hinged together at the top.

   2. a machine equipped with such a bucket.

4. Printing. a platen press.

---

adjective

1. of or noting an object that opens and closes like a clamshell: clamshell packaging.

   a clamshell phone;

   clamshell packaging.

clamshell British  

/ ˈklæmˌʃɛl /

noun

1. a dredging bucket that is hinged like the shell of a clam

2. aeronautics

   1. an aircraft cockpit canopy hinged at the front and rear

   2. the hinged door of a cargo aircraft

   3. another name for eyelid

3. any of a variety of objects hinged like the shell of a clam, such as a container for takeaway food, a portable computer, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of clamshell

1490–1500; earlier clam-shell; see clam ¹, shell

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

clamshell

Nosek wore flannel pajamas around the office, munched on fresh blueberries from their plastic clamshell containers, and built a soundproof, blacked-out box to improve his sleep.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

The clamshell of greens that didn’t quite make it.

From Salon ● Jan. 31, 2026

“I’m afraid of the disappointment of paying $6 for a tiny clamshell of strawberries only for them to taste like a bland Hello Kitty eraser,” she said.

From Slate ● Mar. 6, 2025

A box of clamshell containers has jumped to $28 from $11 in 2020.

From New York Times ● Feb. 4, 2024

The top was shaped like a clamshell that glistened when he turned the lights on.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova