clamshell

/ˈklæmˌʃɛl/
noun
  1. The shell of a clam, consisting of two hinged halves.
    • She used a clamshell as a dish for her jewelry.
    • The clamshell was empty, washed up by the waves.
    • We found a beautiful clamshell on the beach and kept it as a souvenir.
  2. A container or device that opens and closes like a clam's shell, such as a laptop or a food container.
    • He bought a clamshell case for his phone to protect it.
    • The restaurant served the salad in a clamshell container.
    • Her new laptop has a clamshell design that folds flat.
  3. A type of excavator bucket with two jaws that close together to scoop material.
    • A clamshell bucket is ideal for moving loose gravel.
    • The operator controlled the clamshell to scoop up the sand.
    • The construction crew used a clamshell to dig the deep trench.
Synonyms
adjective
  1. Describing something that opens and closes like a clam's shell, often used for packaging or devices.
    • She prefers a clamshell phone because it protects the screen.
    • The toy came in a clamshell package that was hard to open.
    • The clamshell container kept the food fresh and secure.
What does "clamshell" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean