mussel

noun

mus·​sel ˈmə-səl 

1

: a marine bivalve mollusk (especially genus Mytilus) usually having a dark elongated shell

2

: a freshwater bivalve mollusk (as of Unio, Anodonta, or related genera) that is especially abundant in rivers of the central U.S. and has a shell lined with mother-of-pearl

Examples of mussel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But officials say contracting the poisoning is rare, due to public health efforts to dissuade people from eating the potentially toxic mussels. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025

The discovery this week highlights both the threat and the stakes: Without the inspections, the mussels could have reached Folsom Lake, which plays a key role in water storage and flood control for the Sacramento region. —Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025

The crimson tips of giant tube worms waggled in the current, tangling around clusters of mussels. —Maya Wei-Haas, New York Times, 2 May 2025

Highlights included the hakurei turnip and oyster, king crab and capers, and turbot mousseline and mussel. —Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English muscle, from Old English muscelle, from Vulgar Latin *muscula, from Latin musculus muscle, mussel

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing mussel

• blue mussel
• quagga mussel
• zebra mussel

Rhymes for mussel

• bustle
• hustle
• muscle
• russel
• rustle
• trussell
• tussle
• mofussil

Kids Definition

mussel

noun

mus·​sel ˈməs-əl 

1

: any of various edible saltwater mollusks with a long dark hinged double shell

2

: any of numerous freshwater mollusks of rivers of the central U.S. whose hinged double shells are lined with mother-of-pearl