conch

noun

ˈkäŋk How to pronounce conch (audio) ˈkänch How to pronounce conch (audio)
ˈkȯŋk
plural conchs ˈkäŋks How to pronounce conch (audio)
ˈkȯŋks
 or conches ˈkän-chəz How to pronounce conch (audio)
1
: any of various large spiral-shelled marine gastropod mollusks (as of the genus Strombus)
also : its shell used especially for cameos
2
often disparaging : a native or resident of the Florida Keys
3
: concha sense 2

Illustration of conch

Illustration of conch
  • conch 1

Examples of conch 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.
There are antique lighting fixtures, handmade wooden carvings of wild cats, myriad conch shells, and paintings of seemingly every size and artistic style imaginable. — Sarah Jackson valentina Duarte, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026 Conch, one of the country’s most recognizable ingredients, takes center stage through fresh conch salad and fritters. — Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 There are some very fine definitions of where conch will like to spend their time. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 31 July 2026 As work proceeds, plumes of sand have clouded waters near endangered coral and conchs while noisy excavators drown out waves along the popular beach next to Port Everglades. — Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for conch

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin concha mussel, mussel shell, from Greek konchē; akin to Sanskrit śaṅkha conch shell

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conch was in 1707

Rhymes for conch

See All Rhymes for conch

Browse Nearby Words

concetto
conch
concha
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conch. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

conch

noun
ˈkäŋk How to pronounce conch (audio) ˈkänch How to pronounce conch (audio)
plural conchs ˈkäŋks How to pronounce conch (audio) or conches
ˈkän-chəz
: a large marine gastropod mollusk having a spiral shell
also : its shell

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on conch

Nglish: Translation of conch for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about conch

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