oyster

American  

[oi-ster] / ˈɔɪ stər /

noun

1. any of several edible, marine, bivalve mollusks of the family Ostreidae, having an irregularly shaped shell, occurring on the bottom or adhering to rocks or other objects in shallow water.

2. the oyster-shaped bit of dark meat in the front hollow of the side bone of a fowl.

3. Slang. a closemouthed or uncommunicative person, especially one who keeps secrets well.

4. something from which a person may extract or derive advantage.

   The world is my oyster.

5. oyster white.

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verb (used without object)

1. to dredge for or otherwise take oysters.

oyster British  

/ ˈɔɪstə /

noun

1. 1. any edible marine bivalve mollusc of the genus Ostrea, having a rough irregularly shaped shell and occurring on the sea bed, mostly in coastal waters

   2. ( as modifier )

      oyster farm

      oyster knife

2. any of various similar and related molluscs, such as the pearl oyster and the saddle oyster ( Anomia ephippium )

3. the oyster-shaped piece of dark meat in the hollow of the pelvic bone of a fowl

4. something from which advantage, delight, profit, etc, may be derived

   the world is his oyster

5. informal a very uncommunicative person

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verb

1. (intr) to dredge for, gather, or raise oysters

oyster Idioms  

1. see world is one's oyster.

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Etymology

Origin of oyster

1325–75; Middle English oistre < Middle French < Latin ostrea < Greek óstreon; ostracize

Example Sentences

At tree-lined White Point Garden, at the peninsula’s tip, city workers were relining paths with crushed oyster shells.

From The Wall Street Journal

Next up on my festive agenda: Instead of waiting in line at the annoyingly cool oyster bar, I’ll invite some buddies over and re-create the vibe at home.

From The Wall Street Journal

Other edible mushrooms in California that are far more recognizable — and don’t have dangerous lookalikes — include the chicken of the woods, oyster mushroom and honey mushroom, Diaz said.

From Los Angeles Times

Pro Shuckers Kit – I’d never shucked oysters before and was honestly a little stressed — but it turns out to be so much easier than expected.

From Salon

"It's still interfering with the oysters we want to eat, just as it did hundreds of millions of years ago."

From Science Daily

Related Words

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