clamshell
noun
clam·shell
ˈklam-ˌshel 
1
: the shell of a clam
2
a
: a bucket or grapple (as on a dredge) having two hinged jaws
b
: an excavating machine having a clamshell
c
: either of a pair of doors (as in an airplane tail) that open out and away from each other
d
: a hinged container, case, or cover that opens like the shell of a clam
Examples of clamshell in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Best Way To Store Strawberries For ultimate freshness, store your strawberries in the plastic clamshell container they were purchased in.
—
Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 21 June 2025
Payload fairings are like clamshells that enclose the satellites mounted to the top of their launch vehicle, protecting them from weather on the launch pad and from airflow as the rocket accelerates to supersonic speeds.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025
The clamshell design and oversized durable zippers made packing easy, and the water-resistant fabric was dependable in harsher weather conditions.
—Donna Kim, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2025
The wraps were sold under the brand names Big Y Quick Easy Meals and Market 32 by Price Chopper.
(iStock)
Both items come in a 10-ounce clear plastic clamshell package with a sell-by date of May 7 and the lot code of 25122.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clamshell
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 21 June 2025
Payload fairings are like clamshells that enclose the satellites mounted to the top of their launch vehicle, protecting them from weather on the launch pad and from airflow as the rocket accelerates to supersonic speeds.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025
The clamshell design and oversized durable zippers made packing easy, and the water-resistant fabric was dependable in harsher weather conditions.
—Donna Kim, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2025
The wraps were sold under the brand names Big Y Quick Easy Meals and Market 32 by Price Chopper.
(iStock)
Both items come in a 10-ounce clear plastic clamshell package with a sell-by date of May 7 and the lot code of 25122.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clamshell
Cite this Entry
“Clamshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamshell. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clamshell
noun
clam·shell
ˈklam-ˌshel
: the shell of a clam
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share