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

The diver's representative, Ian Costello, said the car was covered in salmon guts, silt and mussel shells. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025

The environment between the two species is the same, according to the study, and the second new species was found with mussels shells in its stomach. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025

Nerea is registered to Graciela Navas and features a menu of ceviches and entrees such as green mussels, aguachile, shrimp tostadas, whole octopus, spaghetti frutti di mare and paella. —Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2025

Frog & Slim 1420 16th St., Suite 300, Sacramento Frog & Slim’s dinner menu includes dishes such as golden beet salad, king salmon and mussel and shrimp piccata pasta, with bread pudding for dessert. —Kendrick Marshall, Sacramento Bee, 7 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