mussel

noun

mus·​sel ˈmə-səl 

1

: a marine bivalve mollusk (especially genus Mytilus) usually having a dark elongated shell

2

: a freshwater bivalve mollusk (as of Unio, Anodonta, or related genera) that is especially abundant in rivers of the central U.S. and has a shell lined with mother-of-pearl

Examples of mussel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But mussels seem to have no problem with this, aggressively attaching themselves to rocks and ship hulls. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 26 Feb. 2025

The Frog & Slim dinner menu, curated by executive chef Christian Viau, includes dishes such as Kobe beef carpaccio, golden beet salad, king salmon, mussel and shrimp piccata pasta and bread pudding. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2025

The red curry is particularly good, and the Thai mussels are delicious, too. —Sunny Hubler, Charlotte Observer, 4 Feb. 2025

Tending embers atop a pit full of beach stones, Velasquez layered on fava pods wrapped in rhubarb leaves, chicken, salt pork, andouille, potatoes, mussels, clams, and potato bread called chapaleles, and covered it all with tarps. —Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English muscle, from Old English muscelle, from Vulgar Latin *muscula, from Latin musculus muscle, mussel

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing mussel

• blue mussel
• quagga mussel
• zebra mussel

Rhymes for mussel

• bustle
• hustle
• muscle
• russel
• rustle
• trussell
• tussle
• mofussil

Kids Definition

mussel

noun

mus·​sel ˈməs-əl 

1

: any of various edible saltwater mollusks with a long dark hinged double shell

2

: any of numerous freshwater mollusks of rivers of the central U.S. whose hinged double shells are lined with mother-of-pearl