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

This is possible because the L3 larvae are present in mollusk slime. —Ars Technica, 13 Feb. 2025

Before committing his pen to paper, Governor Josh Green told lawmakers, students and malacologists—scientists who study mollusks, including snails—that the legislation passed as a direct result of their advocacy. —Maddie Bender, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025

Alok and Fuzz fight, too, with the mollusk escaping in a tiny shuttle. —Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 24 Jan. 2025

Oysters are also a source of infection, because the filter-feeding mollusks concentrate the virus from contaminated water in their tissues. —Byjon Cohen, science.org, 13 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for mollusk

• mollusc

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-