variants or less commonly scollop
1
a
: any of numerous marine bivalve lamellibranch mollusks (family Pectinidae) that have a radially ribbed shell with the edge undulated and that swim by opening and closing the valves
b
: the adductor muscle of a scallop as an article of food
2
a
: a valve or shell of a scallop
b
: a baking dish shaped like a valve of a scallop
3
: one of a continuous series of circle segments or angular projections forming a border (as on cloth or metal)
4
5
[French escalope, probably from Middle French, shell] : a thin slice of boneless meat or fish
veal scallops

called also escalope

Illustration of scallop

Illustration of scallop
  • scallop 2a

scallop

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly scollop
scalloped also scolloped; scalloping also scolloping; scallops also scollops

transitive verb

1
a
: to shape, cut, or finish in scallops
b
: to form scallops in
2
[from the use of a scallop shell as a baking dish] : to bake in a sauce usually covered with seasoned bread or cracker crumbs
scalloped potatoes

intransitive verb

: to gather or dredge scallops

Examples of scallop 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.
Noun
This meal would take nicely to any number of protein add-ins, though, like rotisserie chicken, shrimp, or scallops. Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025 The menu changes with the seasons but previous bites have included Yakama sturgeon with celeriac and arugula, Alaskan pink singing scallop en papillote, and sweetbread with leeks and yellow foot mushrooms. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
Here, that meant incorporating charming pairs a plenty, such as Reid Classics beds with headboards upholstered in Rebecca Atwood Designs’ Gridded Ikat print, scalloped woven sconces by Regina Andrew, and Mary Maguire watercolors. Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2024 Border: The border around the spot has scalloped, irregular or poorly defined edges. Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scallop

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English scalop, from Anglo-French escalope shell, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch schelpe shell

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1682, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of scallop was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scallop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scallop. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

1
a
: any of a family of marine mollusks with a two-part ribbed shell
b
: a muscle of the scallop used for food
2
: one of the two parts of a scallop shell
3
: one of a continuous series of rounded half-circles forming a border (as on lace)

scallop

2 of 2 verb
1
: to bake in a sauce usually covered with seasoned bread or cracker crumbs
scalloped potatoes
2
: to shape, cut, or make an edge in scallops

More from Merriam-Webster on scallop

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!