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
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
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 June 2025
One of the more unexpected offerings is the Rhode Island-style clam chowder, made with a clear broth instead of cream.
—Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Spend a day out on the water with a boat and gear rentals for crabbing or clamming.
—Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clam
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Noun
New England classics like lobster rolls and clam chowder can be found at local haunts like Homeport and Larsen’s Fish Market.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 June 2025
One of the more unexpected offerings is the Rhode Island-style clam chowder, made with a clear broth instead of cream.
—Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Verb
Known for its abundance of agates found along the Pacific Ocean beach between Newport and Yaquina Head, Agate Beach is a popular spot for agate hunting, as well as other activities like clamming, surfing and wildlife viewing.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Spend a day out on the water with a boat and gear rentals for crabbing or clamming.
—Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clam
Cite this Entry
“Clam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clam. Accessed 19 Jul. 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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