# shells

/ˈʃɛɫz/ (US) · /ʃˈɛlz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shells
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. sea/animal coverings

noun · CEFR A2

the hard outer parts that protect sea animals, eggs, or nuts.

For teachers: the hard, protective outer cases of marine molluscs, eggs, nuts, or certain seeds.

- The children spent the afternoon collecting beautiful shells on the beach.
- The shoreline was littered with broken shells and smooth pebbles after the winter storm had receded.

### 2. pasta shape

noun · CEFR B1

a type of pasta shaped like small sea shells.

For teachers: a variety of pasta, formally known as conchiglie, shaped to resemble the shells of marine molluscs.

- We had pasta shells with a creamy cheese sauce for dinner.
- The chef recommended using medium-sized shells for the recipe, as their hollow shape is ideal for capturing thick vegetable sauces.

### 3. explosive projectiles

noun · CEFR B2

metal cases filled with explosives that are fired from large guns.

For teachers: artillery projectiles containing an explosive charge designed to burst upon impact or at a timed interval.

- The old fort still had several heavy iron shells in its storage room.
- The museum display featured various decommissioned shells, illustrating the evolution of ballistic technology during the nineteenth century.

## Examples

- The children collected colorful shells on the beach.
- After the storm, the shoreline was covered in thousands of tiny white shells washed up by the tide.
- Marine biologists study the composition of these calcium carbonate shells to understand how rising ocean acidity affects the health of local shellfish populations.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.