Illustration of clam
- a incurrent orifice
- b siphon
- c excurrent orifice
- d mantle
- e shell
- f foot
often attributive
1
a
: any of numerous edible marine bivalve mollusks living in sand or mud
b
: a freshwater mussel
2
: a stolid or closemouthed person
3
4
informal
: dollar sense 3
Synonyms
Examples of clam in a Sentence
Noun (2)
it must take a whole lot of clams to buy a car like that
Recent Examples on the Web
Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 20 Dec. 2024
The two recalls include oysters and Manila clams from Rudy's Shellfish, and oysters sold as Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Royal Miyagi Oysters.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 19 Dec. 2024
Denise Hruby, Sun Sentinel, 2 Dec. 2024
On special mornings, guests can start the day watching clamming bears as the sun soars above the Chigmit Mountains –all without leaving camp.
—Stephanie Vermillion, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clam 
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Noun
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about oysters and Manila clams that might be contaminated with norovirus.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 20 Dec. 2024
The two recalls include oysters and Manila clams from Rudy's Shellfish, and oysters sold as Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Royal Miyagi Oysters.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
Others, including Cannon’s father, gave the state’s proposal to start clamming a chance.
—Denise Hruby, Sun Sentinel, 2 Dec. 2024
On special mornings, guests can start the day watching clamming bears as the sun soars above the Chigmit Mountains –all without leaving camp.
—Stephanie Vermillion, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clam
Dictionary Entries Near clam
Cite this Entry
“Clam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clam. Accessed 16 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clam
1 of 2 noun1
: any of numerous edible marine mollusks that have two hinged shells and live in sand or mud
2
: a freshwater mussel
clam
2 of 2 verb
clammed; clamming
: to dig or gather clams
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