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

Their fresh Maine lobster roll is excellent, and they have the best oysters in L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Affected raw oysters were sold in Washington, while the Manila clams were distributed to restaurants and retailers in California, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington, according to the FDA.

From Los Angeles Times

Since 21, even when he was broke, he has celebrated every birthday with champagne and oysters.

From The Wall Street Journal

Go to the Marché des Enfants Rouges in the 3rd arrondissement in Paris for fresh oysters and a cheese plate, or to the Marché des Carmes in Toulouse for some lamb chops and fried scallops.

From Barron's

"Now that you have a new amino acid, the world's your oyster," she said.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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