scallop

1 of 2

noun

scal·​lop ˈskä-ləp  ˈska- 

ˈskȯ-

variants or less commonly scollop

ˈskä- 

ˈskȯ-

1

a

: any of numerous marine bivalve lamellibranch mollusks (family Pectinidae) that have a radially ribbed shell with the edge undulated and that swim by opening and closing the valves

b

: the adductor muscle of a scallop as an article of food

2

a

: a valve or shell of a scallop

b

: a baking dish shaped like a valve of a scallop

3

: one of a continuous series of circle segments or angular projections forming a border (as on cloth or metal)

4

: pattypan

5

[French escalope, probably from Middle French, shell] : a thin slice of boneless meat or fish

veal scallops

called also escalope

Illustration of scallop

• scallop 2a

scallop

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly scollop

scalloped also scolloped; scalloping also scolloping; scallops also scollops

transitive verb

1

a

: to shape, cut, or finish in scallops

b

: to form scallops in

2

[from the use of a scallop shell as a baking dish] : to bake in a sauce usually covered with seasoned bread or cracker crumbs

scalloped potatoes

intransitive verb

: to gather or dredge scallops

Examples of scallop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At one station, congregants pick up a scallop shell, a physical reminder of the pilgrimage through life, and dip it in water and grains of sand. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025

After all, scallops were a key element in Queen Anne and Victorian era designs from the 18th and 19th centuries, respectively. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025

Verb

In summer months, locals and visitors love scalloping, the underwater equivalent of a giant Easter egg hunt. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025

Current menu highlights include chilli and garlic shell-on king prawns, and Folkestone scallops. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English scalop, from Anglo-French escalope shell, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch schelpe shell

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1682, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing scallop

• bay scallop
• sea scallop

Rhymes for scallop

• gallop
• jalap
• shallop

Kids Definition

scallop

1 of 2 noun

scal·​lop ˈskäl-əp  ˈskal- 

1

a

: any of a family of marine mollusks with a two-part ribbed shell

b

: a muscle of the scallop used for food

2

: one of the two parts of a scallop shell

3

: one of a continuous series of rounded half-circles forming a border (as on lace)

scallop

2 of 2 verb

1

: to bake in a sauce usually covered with seasoned bread or cracker crumbs

scalloped potatoes

2

: to shape, cut, or make an edge in scallops