bivalve

1 of 2

adjective

bi·​valve ˈbī-ˌvalv 

: being or having a shell composed of two valves

bivalve

2 of 2

noun

: any of a class (Bivalvia synonym Pelecypoda) of typically marine mollusks (such as clams, oysters, or scallops) that have a 2-valved hinged shell, are usually filter feeders, and lack a distinct head

Examples of bivalve in a Sentence

Noun

clams, mussels, oysters, and other bivalves

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The town’s big, bivalve-themed bash, Wellfleet Oyster Fest, happens annually on the weekend after Columbus Day (Oct. 19 and 20 this year) along Main Street. —BostonGlobe.com, 10 Oct. 2019

Deep-sea wood borers (Xylophaga, a genus of bivalve mollusks) take over where shallow water gribbles and shipworms left off. —Brian Payton, Smithsonian, 9 Feb. 2018

Noun

Now in its 31st edition, Elliott’s celebration of bivalves grown in the waters around the region draws seafood lovers to a massive tent erected on Pier 56. —Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

The bivalves pile onto each other in large, sturdy mounds. —Saqib Rahim, WIRED, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1661, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1683, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bivalve

1 of 2 adjective

bi·​valve ˈbī-ˌvalv 

: having or being a shell composed of two movable valves

a bivalve mollusk

bivalve

2 of 2 noun

: any of a class of typically marine mollusks (as clams, oysters, and scallops) that have a shell made up of two parts joined by a hinge, are usually filter feeders, and lack a distinct head

Medical Definition

bivalve

1 of 2 adjective

bi·​valve ˈbī-ˌvalv 

variants also bivalved

-ˌvalvd 

: having or consisting of two corresponding movable pieces suggesting the shells of mollusks

a bivalve speculum

a bivalve cast

bivalve

2 of 2 transitive verb

bivalved; bivalving

: to split (a cast) along one or two sides (as to relieve pressure)