clamshell
noun
clam·shell
ˈklam-ˌshel 
1
: the shell of a clam
2
a
: a bucket or grapple (as on a dredge) having two hinged jaws
b
: an excavating machine having a clamshell
c
: either of a pair of doors (as in an airplane tail) that open out and away from each other
d
: a hinged container, case, or cover that opens like the shell of a clam
Examples of clamshell in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
You’re given the clamshell to scoop the tuna meat right off the bone.
—
Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2025
The clamshell is also commonly used in the rehab and prehab world, meaning it’s prescribed to help people recover from pain and injury, as well as prevent those issues in the first place (more on that below!).
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 11 Dec. 2024
Lenovo announced a laptop today that experiments with a new way to offer laptop users more screen space than the typical clamshell design.
—Ars Technica, 7 Jan. 2025
This backpack has a long list of features that sets it over the top, from its many storage compartments and discrete pockets to its dual clamshell opening to its external compression straps to its cushioned air-flow back panel and padded straps.
—Sarah Boyd, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clamshell 
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Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2025
The clamshell is also commonly used in the rehab and prehab world, meaning it’s prescribed to help people recover from pain and injury, as well as prevent those issues in the first place (more on that below!).
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 11 Dec. 2024
Lenovo announced a laptop today that experiments with a new way to offer laptop users more screen space than the typical clamshell design.
—Ars Technica, 7 Jan. 2025
This backpack has a long list of features that sets it over the top, from its many storage compartments and discrete pockets to its dual clamshell opening to its external compression straps to its cushioned air-flow back panel and padded straps.
—Sarah Boyd, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clamshell
Dictionary Entries Near clamshell
Cite this Entry
“Clamshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamshell. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clamshell
noun
clam·shell
ˈklam-ˌshel
: the shell of a clam
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