lobster

American  

[lob-ster] / ˈlɒb stər /

noun

plural

lobster,

plural

lobsters

1. any of various large, edible, marine, usually dull-green, stalk-eyed decapod crustaceans of the family Homaridae, especially of the genus Homarus, having large, asymmetrical pincers on the first pair of legs, one used for crushing and the other for cutting and tearing: the shell turns bright red when cooked.

2. spiny lobster.

3. any of various similar crustaceans, as certain crayfishes.

4. the edible meat of these animals.

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lobster British  

/ ˈlɒbstə /

noun

1. any of several large marine decapod crustaceans of the genus Homarus, esp H. vulgaris, occurring on rocky shores and having the first pair of limbs modified as large pincers

2. any of several similar crustaceans, esp the spiny lobster

3. the flesh of any of these crustaceans, eaten as a delicacy

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Etymology

Origin of lobster

before 1000; Middle English lopster, Old English loppestre literally, spidery creature ( loppe spider ( lob ¹ ) + -stre -ster ); lop ¹

Example Sentences

“There are so many fish here you wouldn’t believe it. We’re having lobster for dinner tomorrow,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

It shows a harbour littered with lobster boxes and boats bobbing in the water, as well as colourful bunting along the dark streets of St Amelia.

From BBC

Inspectors wrote: "You should cease serving raw lobster immediately or further enforcement action in line with the council's enforcement policy may be considered."

From BBC

Ties improved in 2024, when China called off a ban on imported Australian rock lobster, removing the final obstacle to ending a damaging trade war waged between the countries from 2017.

From Barron's

I tried the lobster BLT, grilled shrimp, chicken tenders and fries.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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