seashell

American  

[see-shel] / ˈsiˌʃɛl /

Or sea shell

noun

1. the shell of any marine mollusk.

---

seashell British  

/ ˈsiːˌʃɛl /

noun

1. the empty shell of a marine mollusc

---

Etymology

Origin of seashell

before 900; Old English sǣscill (not recorded in Middle English ) sea, shell

Explanation

Many sea creatures live inside hard, protective cases called seashells. If you find a seashell on the beach, think of it as a tiny abandoned home of a sea creature. You can also call a seashell a shell, although "sea" distinguishes ocean shells from those of freshwater mollusks. If you've ever walked on a beach, you've seen seashells, and maybe even collected some to take home (after checking to make sure no tiny creatures were living inside). Clams, snails, and oysters are all examples of animals that live in seashells. One of the most famous mentions of this word appears in the tongue twister: "She sells seashells by the seashore." Try saying that ten times, fast!

Example Sentences

Long sustainably-sourced seashell necklaces that looked like talismans.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2025

The attention to detail was clear, from the scalloped bustier, reminiscent of seashell waves, to the ruffles of fabric around the bust, which evoked imagery of a cloud and the intricate beauty of coral.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 23, 2024

Each nodule starts as a little fragment, perhaps a shark's tooth or a piece of seashell.

From Scientific American • Aug. 15, 2023

Sandro Botticelli’s 1485 painting The Birth of Venus shows the Roman goddess of love and beauty perched on a seashell after having emerged from the water.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

The outer walls were of rough gray stone studded with pieces of seashell and coral, as if the slabs had been hewn straight from the bottom of the ocean floor.

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan