mollusk

noun

mol·​lusk ˈmä-ləsk 

variants or mollusc

: any of a large phylum (Mollusca) of invertebrate animals (such as snails, clams, or squids) with a soft unsegmented body usually enclosed in a calcareous shell

broadly : shellfish

molluscan adjective

or less commonly molluskan

mə-ˈlə-skən 

mä-

Examples of mollusk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All the species involved are generalists that eat crustaceans, fish and mollusks, but whoever was able to catch the prey got a meal. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 23 Sep. 2024

These animals along with mollusks and annelids (modern earthworms and their relatives) form the group Lophotrochozoa. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 Aug. 2024

Under the Endangered Species Act, killing, collecting or injuring the endangered mollusks will become a federal crime. —Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 27 June 2024

This indicates that the mystery mollusk’s feeding method probably evolved independently several times. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French mollusque, from New Latin Mollusca, from Latin, neuter plural of molluscus thin-shelled (of a nut), from mollis

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mollusk

noun

mol·​lusk

variants or mollusc

ˈmäl-əsk 

: any of a large phylum of invertebrate animals (as snails, clams, and octopuses) with a soft body lacking segments and usually enclosed in a shell containing calcium

molluscan adjective

also molluskan

mə-ˈləs-kən 

mä-

Medical Definition

mollusk

noun

mol·​lusk

variants or mollusc

ˈmäl-əsk 

: any invertebrate animal of the phylum Mollusca

molluscan adjective

also molluskan

mə-ˈles-kən, mä-