lobster

noun

lob·​ster ˈläb-stər 

often attributive

1

: any of a family (Nephropidae and especially Homarus americanus) of large edible marine decapod crustaceans that have stalked eyes, a pair of large claws, and a long abdomen and that include species from coasts on both sides of the North Atlantic and from the Cape of Good Hope

2

: spiny lobster

lobsterlike

ˈläb-stər-ˌlīk 

adjective

Illustration of lobster

• lobster 1

Examples of lobster in a Sentence

I had lobster for dinner.

Recent Examples on the Web

These squat lobsters are usually found clinging upside down on boulders and overhangs and disappear the instant the camera shutter is pressed. —Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025

So why not combine both flavors, remove the lobster, and replace it with jumbo lump crab cake? —Essence, 12 Feb. 2025

Gardner hailed her caterer, Succotash, at 2601 Holmes St. in Kansas City, which served rich lobster bisque and, of course, duck. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2025

Aaron rented a pink convertible and drove me to get a lobster roll in Malibu. —The Editors Of Ad, Architectural Digest, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English loppestre, from loppe spider

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lobster

• hanging lobster claw
• lobster claw
• lobster pot
• lobster shift
• lobster thermidor
• lobster trap
• Norway lobster
• rock lobster
• spiny lobster

Rhymes for lobster

• mobster

Kids Definition

lobster

noun

lob·​ster ˈläb-stər 

: any of several large edible marine crustaceans with stalked eyes, a pair of large claws, and a long abdomen

also : spiny lobster