shell meaning and definition

SHELL noun

Definition of shell (noun)

1. ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
2. the material that forms the hard outer covering of many animals
3. hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles
   • synonyms: carapace, cuticle, shield
4. the hard usually fibrous outer layer of some fruits especially nuts
5. the exterior covering of a bird's egg
   • synonyms: eggshell
6. a rigid covering that envelops an object
   • "the satellite is covered with a smooth shell of ice"
7. a very light narrow racing boat
   • synonyms: racing shell
8. the housing or outer covering of something
   • "the clock has a walnut case"
   • synonyms: case, casing
9. a metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners)
   • synonyms: plate, scale
10. the hard largely calcareous covering of a mollusc or a brachiopod

SHELL verb

Definition of shell (verb)

1. use explosives on
   • "The enemy has been shelling us all day"
   • synonyms: blast
2. create by using explosives
   • "blast a passage through the mountain"
   • synonyms: blast
3. fall out of the pod or husk
   • "The corn shelled"
4. hit the pitches of hard and regularly
   • "He shelled the pitcher for eight runs in the first inning"
5. look for and collect shells by the seashore
6. come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
   • "Agassi beat Becker in the tennis championship"; "We beat the competition"; "Harvard defeated Yale in the last football game"
   • synonyms: beat, beat out, crush, trounce, vanquish
7. remove from its shell or outer covering
   • "shell the legumes"; "shell mussels"
8. remove the husks from
   • "husk corn"
   • synonyms: husk