noun
seashell
SEE-shehl
Seashell (noun) means the hard outer shell of a sea creature such as a clam, snail, or mussel, especially one found washed up on a beach. Example: “The children spent the afternoon collecting seashells along the shore.”
noun
1
The hard outer shell of a sea creature such as a clam, snail, or mussel, especially one found washed up on a beach.
"The children spent the afternoon collecting seashells along the shore."
"She strung the tiny seashells into a bracelet."
How to use seashell
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shell from a sea creature, usually one picked up on the beach.
Common pairings
collect seashells
a seashell necklace
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Word forms
- Plural
- seashells
- Third person singular
- seashells
- Past tense
- seashelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The children spent the afternoon collecting _____ along the shore.
Etymology
Simply "sea" plus "shell" — the shell part traces back through Old English scell to a very old root meaning "to split" or "peel," since shells split away from the creature inside.
Frequently asked questions
What does “seashell” mean?
The word “seashell” means the hard outer shell of a sea creature such as a clam, snail, or mussel, especially one found washed up on a beach. In plain terms, a shell from a sea creature, usually one picked up on the beach.
How do you pronounce “seashell”?
“Seashell” is pronounced SEE-shehl (/ˈsiˌʃɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “seashell” in a sentence?
Here is “seashell” used in a sentence: “The children spent the afternoon collecting seashells along the shore.”
What part of speech is “seashell”?
“Seashell” is a noun.
Where does the word “seashell” come from?
The word “seashell” comes from Old English. Simply "sea" plus "shell" — the shell part traces back through Old English scell to a very old root meaning "to split" or "peel," since shells split away from the creature inside.
