lobster

noun

lob·​ster ˈläb-stər 

often attributive

1

: any of a family (Nephropidae and especially Homarus americanus) of large edible marine decapod crustaceans that have stalked eyes, a pair of large claws, and a long abdomen and that include species from coasts on both sides of the North Atlantic and from the Cape of Good Hope

2

: spiny lobster

lobsterlike

ˈläb-stər-ˌlīk 

adjective

Illustration of lobster

• lobster 1

Examples of lobster in a Sentence

I had lobster for dinner.

Recent Examples on the Web

In our case, Bea, ordering from kid’s menus, did not want anything green on her plate, while Millie, an only child used to fancy dining, ordered lobster and other dishes off the adult menu. —Fran Golden, AFAR Media, 28 Jan. 2025

For his fall 2006 presentation for Dior couture, Galliano’s collection included armored coats and gowns resembling lobster tails. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025

Share [Findings] Climate change was expected to drive American lobsters to seek deeper waters, beavers to colonize new parts of Canada, and wolf spiders in the high Arctic to produce a second annual brood. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025

The choices include: First course: baked oysters, Napa salad, roasted root vegetable salad, Wagyu beef carpaccio or lobster bisque. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English loppestre, from loppe spider

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lobster

• hanging lobster claw
• lobster claw
• lobster pot
• lobster shift
• lobster thermidor
• lobster trap
• Norway lobster
• rock lobster
• spiny lobster

Kids Definition

lobster

noun

lob·​ster ˈläb-stər 

: any of several large edible marine crustaceans with stalked eyes, a pair of large claws, and a long abdomen

also : spiny lobster