oyster

noun

oys·​ter ˈȯi-stər How to pronounce oyster (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: any of various marine bivalve mollusks (family Ostreidae) that have a rough irregular shell closed by a single adductor muscle and include commercially important shellfish
b
: any of various mollusks resembling or related to the oysters
2
: something that is or can be readily made to serve one's personal ends
the world was her oyster
3
: a small mass of muscle contained in a concavity of the pelvic bone on each side of the back of a fowl
4
: an extremely taciturn person
5
: a grayish-white color

Examples of oyster 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.
Sanderson’s team is still mapping the bed of the Dornoch Firth, painstakingly scrubbing and screening every new oyster to prevent contamination from other aquatic environments experienced by the oysters in their breeding. Louise Schiavone, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Look for the oyster vending machines, too (the oysters are sold closed, so be prepared to shuck). Jo Rodgers, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2024 In this recipe, greens get a splash of absinthe for a strong anise flavor, then the oysters are broiled to a light golden brown. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024 Available in oyster or black, the July passport holder is made from smooth, tactile Nappa leather. Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for oyster 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English oistre, borrowed from Anglo-French oistre, ostre, going back to Latin ostrea, ostreum "bivalve mollusk, oyster," borrowed from Greek óstreion, óstreon, of uncertain origin

Note: Greek óstreion has traditionally been taken to be a derivative, with a suffix -ei-, of a stem going back to Indo-European *h3esth1-r-, from the base *h3esth1- "bone." See note at ostracon.

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of oyster was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near oyster

Cite this Entry

“Oyster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oyster. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

oyster

noun
oys·​ter ˈȯi-stər How to pronounce oyster (audio)
: any of various marine mollusks that include important edible shellfish and have a rough uneven shell made up of two hinged parts and closed by a single muscle

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