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
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These tiny mussels reproduce rapidly and can clog drinking water intakes, boat hulls and engines and even power plants.
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Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2024
Sauvignon Blanc pairs perfectly with warm weather foods like salads and seafood including scallops, sushi, mussels, and shrimp.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for mussel 
Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2024
Sauvignon Blanc pairs perfectly with warm weather foods like salads and seafood including scallops, sushi, mussels, and shrimp.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for mussel
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mussel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Mussel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mussel. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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