shellfish

noun

shell·​fish ˈshel-ˌfish 

: an aquatic invertebrate animal with a shell

especially : an edible mollusk or crustacean

Examples of shellfish in a Sentence

lobsters, crabs, and other shellfish

Recent Examples on the Web

In the kitchen is chef Kevin Gratton, who’s drawn on longstanding relationships with British producers, incorporating ingredients like Glenarm Estate salt-aged beef from Northern Ireland and Scottish shellfish delivered nightly on the train to Euston. —Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026

There's also a lobster tank and beautiful shellfish on ice. —Nathanael Gassett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2026

The bacteria can take up residence in the stomachs of shellfish, particularly oysters, as well as the intestines of fish. —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026

Omega-3 supplements, also called fish oil supplements, contain a type of fat found in shellfish and cold-water fish like salmon, mackerel, and tuna. —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shellfish

• bluefish
• catfish
• codfish
• crawfish
• dogfish
• finfish
• flatfish
• goldfish
• groundfish
• kingfish
• offish
• redfish

Kids Definition

shellfish

noun

shell·​fish ˈshel-ˌfish 

: an invertebrate animal that lives in water and has a shell

especially : an edible mollusk (as an oyster) or crustacean (as a crab)