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

Oysters, mussels, scallops and clams feed by filtering plankton out of the water. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 6 Dec. 2024

For Turkish-style mussels stuffed with herbed rice, go to Midyeci Şehmus Usta. —Cuneyt Dil, Axios, 8 Sep. 2024

There’s chorizo, mussels, shrimp, calamari and squid in addition to the rice. —Lisa Shames, Chicago Tribune, 25 Nov. 2024

In a press release regarding the move, it was explained that the shift was prompted due to a discovery in 2009 of a pump station that was required to stop operation to prohibit further introduction of Zebra mussels in Texas. —Christina Shaw, Fox News, 8 Nov. 2024

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

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