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

Clams, mussels, and lobster rolls will satisfy your seafood craving. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025

Without intervention, golden mussels could disrupt water deliveries from the reservoirs and compromise power generation at Folsom Dam. —Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2025

The chalkboard menu leans homestyle Japanese: plump mussels steamed with sake, grilled onigiri in a puddle of dashi, a warming monkfish hot pot. —Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025

One specimen of fish had a freshwater mussel attached to its tail fin. —Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 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