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

An invasive mussel has been found in North America for the first time, posing an immediate threat in California’s Delta. —Hunter Clauss, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Other mussels discovered downstream are undergoing further testing to confirm the species. —Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024

The mussels are fatty, drenched in garlicky, spicy tomato sauce and served with warm, thick slices of Grand Central Bakery's campagnolo loaf, sprinkled with flaky sea salt. —Meira Gebel, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024

The fish are also believed to degrade water quality, which can hurt sensitive organisms like freshwater mussels. —Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 29 Oct. 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