Phrase guide

pearl oyster

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

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

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Any of several bivalve molluscs that are a source of pearls, but especially Pinctada margaritifera.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pearl shell

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

tropical marine bivalve found chiefly off eastern Asia and Pacific coast of North America and Central America; a major source of pearls

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: Pinctada margaritifera

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: oyster

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: бисерна мида (biserna mida) — bivalve mollusc that is a source of pearls
  • Catalan: ostra perlera — bivalve mollusc that is a source of pearls
  • Chinese Mandarin: 珍珠貝 /珍珠贝 — bivalve mollusc that is a source of pearls
  • Finnish: helmisimpukka — bivalve mollusc that is a source of pearls
  • German: Perlmuschel — bivalve mollusc that is a source of pearls
  • Romanian: scoică de mărgăritar — bivalve mollusc that is a source of pearls
  • Spanish: ostra perlífera — bivalve mollusc that is a source of pearls