noun
Meaning 1
The shell of a clam.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
clamshell
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
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US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
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CMU ARPABET: K L AE1 M SH EH2 L Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
noun
Meaning 2
Any object that, in (literal or figurative) resemblance to the shell of a clam, has a hinge on one edge and two surfaces that close together.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 3
Any object that, in (literal or figurative) resemblance to the shell of a clam, has a hinge on one edge and two surfaces that close together.
A dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 4
Any object that, in (literal or figurative) resemblance to the shell of a clam, has a hinge on one edge and two surfaces that close together.
In food service, the closing box (usually styrofoam but sometimes cardboard) given to consumers with takeout food.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 5
Any object that, in (literal or figurative) resemblance to the shell of a clam, has a hinge on one edge and two surfaces that close together.
A hinged case for a video tape, cassette tape, or video game cartridge.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 6
Any object that, in (literal or figurative) resemblance to the shell of a clam, has a hinge on one edge and two surfaces that close together.
A person's mouth.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, dated, derogatory, slang
Examples
- Shut your clamshell!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 7
Any object with some other resemblance to either one or both halves of the shell of a clam.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: attributive, often
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 8
Any object with some other resemblance to either one or both halves of the shell of a clam.
An amphitheater, especially an outdoor amphitheater; the semi-circular acoustic backdrop behind and above the performers.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: attributive, often
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: bandshell
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 9
To deform a die in a shape resembling the shell of a clam, as a result of uneven extrusion pressure.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: business, manufacturing
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 10
To dig out by means of a clamshell (dredging bucket).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 11
To compress or flatten underwater debris so as to avoid blocking a channel.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 12
To open or close by means of a hinge, similar to the way a clamshell opens and closes.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: ambitransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 13
the shell of a clam
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: shell
noun
Meaning 14
a dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: grapple
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: dredging bucket
History
Etymology
From clam + shell.
Across languages
Translations
4 source translations are retained for this English entry.
- Catalan: petxina — shell of a clam
- Finnish: simpukankuori — shell of a clam
- Indonesian: kulit kerang — shell of a clam
- Finnish: simpukankuori — hinged object
Real reading context