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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Participants will be given a glimpse inside the state’s first facility dedicated to raising freshwater mussels, federally endangered Hine’s emerald dragonflies and other aquatic species, district officials said in a news release.
—
Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025
The beef tartare, nduja steamed mussels, and lamb Bolognese are too good to miss.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025
Pro tip: Try branching out to other seafood varieties, like mussels, anchovies, or trout.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 1 Jan. 2025
The 265-mile Duck River in Middle Tennessee has been named as the most biodiverse river in North America with more than 200 species of snails, mussels and fish.
—Kelly Puente, The Tennessean, 20 Nov. 2024
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Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025
The beef tartare, nduja steamed mussels, and lamb Bolognese are too good to miss.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025
Pro tip: Try branching out to other seafood varieties, like mussels, anchovies, or trout.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 1 Jan. 2025
The 265-mile Duck River in Middle Tennessee has been named as the most biodiverse river in North America with more than 200 species of snails, mussels and fish.
—Kelly Puente, The Tennessean, 20 Nov. 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 23 Jan. 2025.
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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