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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An invasive mussel has been found in North America for the first time, posing an immediate threat in California’s Delta.
—
Hunter Clauss, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Other mussels discovered downstream are undergoing further testing to confirm the species.
—Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
The mussels are fatty, drenched in garlicky, spicy tomato sauce and served with warm, thick slices of Grand Central Bakery's campagnolo loaf, sprinkled with flaky sea salt.
—Meira Gebel, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
The fish are also believed to degrade water quality, which can hurt sensitive organisms like freshwater mussels.
—Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2024
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Hunter Clauss, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Other mussels discovered downstream are undergoing further testing to confirm the species.
—Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
The mussels are fatty, drenched in garlicky, spicy tomato sauce and served with warm, thick slices of Grand Central Bakery's campagnolo loaf, sprinkled with flaky sea salt.
—Meira Gebel, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
The fish are also believed to degrade water quality, which can hurt sensitive organisms like freshwater mussels.
—Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mussel
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Cite this Entry
“Mussel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mussel. Accessed 28 Nov. 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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