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• conch
  conch

  noun

  the spiral shell of a gastropod, often used as a horn.
• conch-
  conch-

  variant of concho- before a vowel.

conch

¹ American  

[kongk, konch] / kɒŋk, kɒntʃ /

noun

• conchs,
  plural
• conches
  plural

1. the spiral shell of a gastropod, often used as a horn.

2. any of various marine gastropods.

3. the fabled shell trumpet of the Tritons.

4. (often initial capital letter)

   1. a term used to refer to a native or inhabitant of the Florida Keys.

   2. a term used to refer to a Bahamian.

5. Architecture. Also a smooth concave surface consisting of or resembling the interior of a semidome, as the surface of a vault, a trompe, or the head of a niche.

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conch- ² American  

1. variant of concho- before a vowel.

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conch British  

/ kɒŋk, kɒntʃ /

noun

1. any of various tropical marine gastropod molluscs of the genus Strombus and related genera, esp S. gigas (giant conch), characterized by a large brightly coloured spiral shell

2. the shell of such a mollusc, used as a trumpet

3. architect another name for concha

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Sensitive Note

Conch is usually a neutral nickname or term of self-reference for any person living in the Florida Keys or the Bahamas, where conch (the flesh of the gastropod) is a popular food. However, the nickname conch is sometimes used with disparaging intent when specifically referring to a person of Bahamian ancestry living in the Florida Keys. And Loyalists who fled to the Bahamas during the Revolutionary War used the nickname conch to refer disparagingly to a native or early settler of the Bahamas.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• conchate
  adjective
• conched
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• conches
  plural
• conchs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of conch

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin concha < Greek kónchē mussel, shell

Explanation

A conch is a sea creature that has a distinctive, spiral-shaped shell. If you visit the Bahamas, you might see a conch on the beach or find it on a restaurant menu. The large, brightly colored spiral shells people buy at gift shops in beach towns are conch shells. In many parts of the world, conch meat, both raw and cooked, is a seafood delicacy that shows up in salads, soups, and fritters. You can also use a conch shell as a musical instrument by blowing into one end of it. The word conch comes from the Latin concha, "shellfish," from a Greek root, konkhē, "mussel or cockle."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

conch conch- conches conchs

Chipped conch shells and scattered bone whistles point to a musical ambience.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 23, 2026

"We also feed them conch slop and algae smoothies," Alizee explains.

From BBC ● Dec. 9, 2023

The Mexican government most recently opened a comment window in April 2021, when the Center for Biological Diversity submitted a proposal to list the queen conch, but the group never heard back.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 27, 2023

Officers reported finding two empty conch shells next to a pot and an active fire.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 22, 2023

"When we're ready I'll carry it-" Piggy sought in his mind for words to convey his passionate willingness to carry the conch against all odds.

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

"I got the conch-" "Conch! Conch!" shouted Jack.

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

And I've got the conch-" "You haven't got it with you," said Jack, sneering. "You left it behind.

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

Signs assembled from vehicle tires line a dusty pedestrian route from the paved road to her gas station — a cleverly suggestive Shell station, apparently, given the chrome conches adorning the pump handles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 17, 2025

Police said a witness told them a man caught the conches and then cooked and ate the sea snails at his campsite.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 22, 2023

Another neglected hazard is decompression sickness among divers forced to make repeated deep dives, a common problem in harvesting lobster, sea cucumbers and conches, the report said.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 2, 2022

In its most extreme examples, ears twist like conches, teeth and eyes multiply, and hair melts into nothingness.

From The Verge ● Mar. 5, 2019

The alcove was studded with cowries, conches, and scallops.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said they charged Burley David Smith, 67, with a felony for catching and consuming two queen conchs while the suspect was fishing on Wisteria Island.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 22, 2023

And the Bahamas National Trust, a non-profit that manages national parks, is working to get fishers tools to help them measure conchs to ensure they’re big enough to harvest.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 5, 2023

The growing acidification of the warming ocean is also a threat to conchs because it can cause their shells to deteriorate.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 5, 2023

Some countries say they are doing their best to manage conchs responsibly.

From Science Magazine ● Dec. 22, 2022

Filled with joy, they are blowing their conchs and beating their drums!

From The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Related Words

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