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[Log In](https://www.merriam-webster.com/login) # shell 1 of 2 ## [noun](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noun) [ˈshel](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=s&file=shell001 "How to pronounce shell (audio)") plural shells [Synonyms of *shell*](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell) Simple Definition A Simple Definition is available from our Learner's Dictionary to help you understand the meaning faster. 1 a **:** a hard rigid usually largely calcareous covering or support of an animal b **:** the hard or tough often thin outer covering of an egg (as of a bird or reptile) see [egg illustration](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/egg#art) 2 **:** the covering or outside part of a fruit or seed especially when hard or fibrous 3 **:** shell material (as of mollusks or turtles) or their substance 4 **:** something that resembles a shell: such as a **:** a framework or exterior structure especially **:** a building with an unfinished interior b(1) **:** an external case or outside covering the shell of a ship (2) **:** a thin usually spherical layer or surface enclosing a space or surrounding an object an expanding shell of gas around a neutron star c **:** a casing without substance … mere effigies and shells of men … — Thomas Carlyle d **:** an edible outer layer of usually baked or fried pastry dough or bread for holding a filling a pastry shell a taco salad in a tortilla shell e **:** [band shell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/band%20shell) f **:** a small beer glass g **:** an unlined article of outerwear 5 **:** a shell-bearing mollusk 6 **:** an impersonal attitude or manner that conceals the presence or absence of feeling he retreated into his shell 7 **:** a narrow light racing boat propelled by one or more persons pulling oars or sculls 8 **:** any of the regions occupied by the orbits of a group of electrons of approximately equal energy surrounding the nucleus of an atom 9 a **:** a projectile for cannon containing an explosive bursting charge b **:** a case (as of metal, paper, or plastic) that holds the charge of powder and shot or bullet used with breech-loading small arms a shotgun shell compare [cartridge](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartridge) 10 **:** a plain usually sleeveless blouse or sweater 11 **:** a company or corporation that exists without assets or independent operations as a legal entity through which another company or corporation can conduct various dealings shell adjective shell 2 of 2 ## [verb](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verb) shelled; shelling; shells [transitive verb](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transitive) 1 a **:** to take out of a natural enclosing cover (such as a shell, husk, pod, or capsule) shell peanuts b **:** to separate the kernels of (corn, wheat, oats, etc.) from the cob, ear, or husk 2 **:** to throw [shells](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shells) at, upon, or into **:** [bombard](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bombard) 3 **:** to score heavily against (someone, such as an opposing pitcher in baseball) [intransitive verb](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intransitive) 1 **:** to fall or scale off in thin pieces 2 **:** to cast the shell or exterior covering **:** fall out of the pod or husk nuts which shell in falling 3 **:** to gather shells (as from a beach) ## Synonyms of *shell* Relevance Noun - [sheath](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheath) - [casing](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/casing) - [housing](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/housing) - [covering](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covering) Verb - [peel](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peel) - [bark](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bark) - [hull](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hull) [See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell) ## Examples of *shell* in a Sentence Noun the *shell* of a crab We collected *shells* at the beach. We're going to have stuffed *shells* for dinner. Verb They *shelled* the enemy troops. The town was *shelled* during the battle. Recent Examples on the Web Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. [Read More](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell) Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. [Send us feedback](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GAQr3Kn1cURCVHUA82hAga1Wv8DCH0IuqDLRUrOpN7M/viewform?ts=63f4f653&entry.1515682415=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary%2Fshell). Noun Creating this distinct sense of place, without employing gimmicky tropes (all too easy to do in a place like Hawaii, where a little puka *shell* goes a long way), is what makes Hualālai stand out on an island of upscale resorts. — Condé Nast, *Condé Nast Traveler*, 7 Apr. 2026 As of Friday morning, a bit of *shell* could be seen popping out on the top of the egg. — *Los Angeles Times*, 5 Apr. 2026 Verb Even during the talks, Afghanistan accused Pakistan of carrying out *shelling* across its border on several occasions, killing and wounding civilians. — *ABC News*, 7 Apr. 2026 This meant conducting guerrilla attacks and cobbling together missiles and warplanes to *shell* Iraqi cities. — Sudarsan Raghavan, *New Yorker*, 7 Apr. 2026 [See All Example Sentences for *shell*](https://www.merriam-webster.com/sentences/shell) ## Word History Etymology Noun Middle English, from Old English *sciell*; akin to Old English *scealu* shell, Old Norse *skel*, Lithuanian *skelti* to split, Greek *skallein* to hoe First Known Use Noun before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at [sense 1a](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell#h1) Verb 1562, in the meaning defined at [transitive sense 1a](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell#h2) Time Traveler The first known use of *shell* was before the 12th century [See more words from the same century](https://www.merriam-webster.com/time-traveler/before-12th-century?src=defrecirc-timetraveler-etycard) ## Phrases Containing *shell* - [band shell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/band%20shell) - [ear shell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ear%20shell) - [half shell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half%20shell) - [hard\-shell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-shell) - [hard\-shell clam](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-shell%20clam) - [hard\-shell crab](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-shell%20crab) - [moon shell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moon%20shell) - [on the half shell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20half%20shell) - [patty shell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patty%20shell) - [shell bean](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell%20bean) - [shell game](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell%20game) - [shell jacket](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell%20jacket) - [shell out](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell%20out) - [shell pink](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell%20pink) - [shell shock](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell%20shock) - [shell\-shocked](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell-shocked) - [shell steak](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell%20steak) - [shell suit](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell%20suit) - [soft\-shell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/softshell#soft-shell) - [soft\-shell clam](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soft-shell%20clam) - [star shell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/star%20shell) - [tooth shell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tooth%20shell) See More ## Rhymes for *shell* - [bel](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bel) - [belle](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belle) - [cel](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cel) - [cell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cell) - [dell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dell) - [dwell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dwell) - [el](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/el) - [ell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ell) - [fel](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fel) - [fell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fell) - [gel](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gel) - [gell](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gell) [See All Rhymes for *shell*](https://www.merriam-webster.com/rhymes/perfect/shell) ## Browse Nearby Words [Shelikof](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Shelikof) shell [shellac](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shellac) [See all Nearby Words](https://www.merriam-webster.com/browse/dictionary/s/42) ## Articles Related to *shell* [The Words of the Week - Dec. 15 Dictionary lookups from late night television, higher education, and the law](https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/the-words-of-the-week-dec-15) ## Cite this Entry Style “Shell.” *Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary*, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026. [Copy Citation](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell) ## Kids Definition shell 1 of 2 noun [ˈshel](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=s&file=shell001 "How to pronounce shell (audio)") 1 a **:** a hard stiff covering of an animal (as a turtle or beetle) b **:** the outer covering of an egg (as of a bird or reptile) 2 **:** the outer covering of a nut, fruit, or seed especially when hard or tough 3 **:** shell material or shells especially of mollusks 4 **:** something like a shell: as a **:** a framework or outside structure b **:** a bottom crust for a pie a *pastry* shell c **:** a concrete arched roof (as over an outdoor stage) a band *shell* 5 **:** a way of behaving that hides one's feelings coming out of one's *shell* 6 **:** a shell-bearing mollusk 7 **:** a narrow light racing boat rowed by one or more persons using long oars 8 a **:** an object filled with an explosive to be shot from cannon b **:** a metal or paper case holding the explosive charge and shot or bullet used in small arms shell adjective shell 2 of 2 verb 1 a **:** to remove from a natural enclosing cover (as a shell or husk) **:** [shuck](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shuck#kidsdictionary) *shell* peas b **:** to remove the grains from (as an ear of corn) 2 **:** to shoot shells at or upon 3 **:** to fall out of the pod or husk 4 **:** to collect shells (as from a beach) ## More from Merriam-Webster on *shell* Nglish: [Translation of *shell* for Spanish Speakers](http://www.nglish.com/spanish/shell) Britannica.com: [Encyclopedia article about *shell*](https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/539650/shell) Last Updated: 8 Apr 2026 \- Updated example sentences Love words? 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1 a **:** a hard rigid usually largely calcareous covering or support of an animal b **:** the hard or tough often thin outer covering of an egg (as of a bird or reptile) see [egg illustration](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/egg#art) 2 **:** the covering or outside part of a fruit or seed especially when hard or fibrous 3 **:** shell material (as of mollusks or turtles) or their substance 4 **:** something that resembles a shell: such as a **:** a framework or exterior structure especially **:** a building with an unfinished interior b(1) **:** an external case or outside covering the shell of a ship (2) **:** a thin usually spherical layer or surface enclosing a space or surrounding an object an expanding shell of gas around a neutron star c **:** a casing without substance … mere effigies and shells of men …— Thomas Carlyle d **:** an edible outer layer of usually baked or fried pastry dough or bread for holding a filling a pastry shell a taco salad in a tortilla shell e f **:** a small beer glass g **:** an unlined article of outerwear 5 **:** a shell-bearing mollusk 6 **:** an impersonal attitude or manner that conceals the presence or absence of feeling he retreated into his shell 7 **:** a narrow light racing boat propelled by one or more persons pulling oars or sculls 8 **:** any of the regions occupied by the orbits of a group of electrons of approximately equal energy surrounding the nucleus of an atom 9 a **:** a projectile for cannon containing an explosive bursting charge b **:** a case (as of metal, paper, or plastic) that holds the charge of powder and shot or bullet used with breech-loading small arms a shotgun shell compare [cartridge](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartridge) 10 **:** a plain usually sleeveless blouse or sweater 11 **:** a company or corporation that exists without assets or independent operations as a legal entity through which another company or corporation can conduct various dealings shell adjective Word History Etymology Noun Middle English, from Old English *sciell*; akin to Old English *scealu* shell, Old Norse *skel*, Lithuanian *skelti* to split, Greek *skallein* to hoe First Known Use Noun before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at [sense 1a](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell#h1) Verb 1562, in the meaning defined at [transitive sense 1a](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shell#h2) Time Traveler The first known use of *shell* was before the 12th century