clamshell

noun

clam·​shell ˈklam-ˌshel How to pronounce clamshell (audio)
1
: the shell of a clam
2
a
: a bucket or grapple (as on a dredge) having two hinged jaws
b
: an excavating machine having a clamshell
c
: either of a pair of doors (as in an airplane tail) that open out and away from each other
d
: a hinged container, case, or cover that opens like the shell of a clam

Examples of clamshell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Film buffs see this process as akin to an anointing; the trademark C, tucked into the upper-left corner of a plastic clamshell, signals a movie’s importance. — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 Summary Apple's iPhone Fold arrives as book-style foldables take 69% of shipments, clamshells collapse, and Samsung's Z Fold 8 breaks pre-order records. — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Activities and entertainment Most passengers on Star Breeze are content to sit in the pool sipping cocktails, or snuggling in a clamshell lounger with a good book. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026 Schnabel navigates images of violent waters as crashing waves in both Basquiat and Dante, where Gal Godot’s Venus-in-a-clamshell character is swept under the surf. — A.d. Amorosi, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clamshell

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clamshell was circa 1520

Rhymes for clamshell

See All Rhymes for clamshell

Browse Nearby Words

clams casino
clamshell
clam up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clamshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamshell. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

clamshell

noun
clam·​shell ˈklam-ˌshel How to pronounce clamshell (audio)
: the shell of a clam

More from Merriam-Webster on clamshell

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clamshell

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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