conch

noun

ˈkäŋk 

ˈkänch,

ˈkȯŋk 

plural conchs ˈkäŋks 

ˈkȯŋks

or conches ˈkän-chəz 

1

: any of various large spiral-shelled marine gastropod mollusks (as of the genus Strombus)

also : its shell used especially for cameos

2

often disparaging : a native or resident of the Florida Keys

3

: concha sense 2

Illustration of conch

• conch 1

Examples of conch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The conch shells would have come from Florida; masks incorporate copper, which would have been mined in Minnesota. —Dallas News, 3 May 2022

Merchán tells us to make a wish before calling out to the solstices and directional winds, blessing families and nations near and far, and ending the ceremony with the mournful wail of a conch shell. —Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Oct. 2022

Port of Call whimsically attaches a conch shell — a different medium for listening — to a microphone stand and cable. —Dallas News, 9 June 2022

Dolphins in Shark Bay have also been seen picking up conch shells with fish inside them. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 18 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin concha mussel, mussel shell, from Greek konchē; akin to Sanskrit śaṅkha conch shell

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

conch

noun

ˈkäŋk  ˈkänch 

plural conchs ˈkäŋks  or conches

ˈkän-chəz

: a large marine gastropod mollusk having a spiral shell

also : its shell

Medical Definition

conch

noun

ˈkäŋk  ˈkänch 

ˈkȯŋk

plural conchs ˈkäŋks, ˈkȯŋks  or conches ˈkän-chəz 

: concha sense 1