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
Lift the right knee up and out to the side, externally rotating your right hip for a clamshell.
—
Mallory Creveling, Health, 17 Sep. 2025
The other uses a clamshell to scoop up the sand.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025
While there are smaller form factors of keyboard and screen in an almost clamshell layout, these have been the purview of Apple’s iPad range.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Videos of the VertiFlex show the panel appearing like a normal clamshell laptop when first opened.
—Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clamshell
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Mallory Creveling, Health, 17 Sep. 2025
The other uses a clamshell to scoop up the sand.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025
While there are smaller form factors of keyboard and screen in an almost clamshell layout, these have been the purview of Apple’s iPad range.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Videos of the VertiFlex show the panel appearing like a normal clamshell laptop when first opened.
—Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 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 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clamshell
noun
clam·shell
ˈklam-ˌshel
: the shell of a clam
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