Noun (2)
it must take a whole lot of clams to buy a car like that
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
An officer promptly issued the mother a two-count citation for fishing without a license and for collecting the undersized Pismo clams during the November 2023 oceanside outing, according to court filings obtained by PEOPLE.—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024 Nearby: a variety of frozen fish, as well as mussels, clams and frozen crab legs.—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2024 Besides lobster, fish and shrimp, one of the notable menu items that has become a mainstay at the seafood chain was New England clam chowder, appearing on the menu in 1968 and continuing today.—Mariyam Muhammad, The Enquirer, 20 May 2024 Over time, any oil spills could begin to impact sea life, like crabs, clams, and worms.—Lia Russell, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clam
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clam.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Old English clamm bond, fetter; akin to Old High German klamma constriction and perhaps to Latin glomus ball
Noun (2)
clam entry 1; from the clamping action of the shells
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
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