Illustration of conch
- conch 1
conch
noun
ˈkäŋk 
ˈkänch,
ˈkȯŋk plural conchs ˈkäŋks
ˈkȯŋks
or conches ˈkän-chəz 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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web There's no better way to spend some quality time with old friends than with a plethora of key lime pie and conch fritters before heading off on a parasailing adventure. 
Terri Huggins Hart, Woman's Day, 14 June 2022 The longtime owners of Calypso Restaurant, the Caribbean haven for fresh Bahamian conch, peppery jerk wings, peel-and-eat shrimp and cutters, have sold their business after 32 years. Phillip Valys, sun-sentinel.com, 4 Jan. 2022 The cave on the Turner glacier seemed like the inside of a conch shell with its spiral ceiling and shiny, slick walls of compressed snow, air bubbles, sediment layers and ribs of ice. New York Times, 19 May 2022 Outsiders are forbidden to own property or harvest conch and lobster. Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2022 On a table filled with cookout staples like macaroni and cheese, there was a pot of conch, oxtail and smoked pork; red rice with sausage; chili with pork sausage. New York Times, 7 Mar. 2022 Airy, mournful notes sound from conch shells being blown, and the river erupts into action. Tim Neville, Outside Online, 13 Aug. 2020 This cruise boards Celebrity Summit in Miami and heads to Nassau, Bahamas for a day of relaxing beaches, duty-free shopping, swimming with dolphins, and dining on local specialty, conch fritters. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2021 For the past two years, the former home of Dania Beach Grill, once popular for its conch fritters, live music and cheap beer, had become a place to avoid. Phillip Valys, sun-sentinel.com, 15 Nov. 2021 See More
Terri Huggins Hart, Woman's Day, 14 June 2022 The longtime owners of Calypso Restaurant, the Caribbean haven for fresh Bahamian conch, peppery jerk wings, peel-and-eat shrimp and cutters, have sold their business after 32 years. Phillip Valys, sun-sentinel.com, 4 Jan. 2022 The cave on the Turner glacier seemed like the inside of a conch shell with its spiral ceiling and shiny, slick walls of compressed snow, air bubbles, sediment layers and ribs of ice. New York Times, 19 May 2022 Outsiders are forbidden to own property or harvest conch and lobster. Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2022 On a table filled with cookout staples like macaroni and cheese, there was a pot of conch, oxtail and smoked pork; red rice with sausage; chili with pork sausage. New York Times, 7 Mar. 2022 Airy, mournful notes sound from conch shells being blown, and the river erupts into action. Tim Neville, Outside Online, 13 Aug. 2020 This cruise boards Celebrity Summit in Miami and heads to Nassau, Bahamas for a day of relaxing beaches, duty-free shopping, swimming with dolphins, and dining on local specialty, conch fritters. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2021 For the past two years, the former home of Dania Beach Grill, once popular for its conch fritters, live music and cheap beer, had become a place to avoid. Phillip Valys, sun-sentinel.com, 15 Nov. 2021 See More 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
Kids Definition
conch
noun
ˈkäŋk
ˈkänch,
ˈkȯŋk
plural conchs
ˈkäŋks,
ˈkȯŋks
or conches ˈkän-chəz
: a very large sea snail with a tall thick spiral shell
Medical Definition
conch
noun
ˈkäŋk ˈkänch
ˈkänch ˈkȯŋk
plural conchs ˈkäŋks, ˈkȯŋks or conches ˈkän-chəz
or conches ˈkän-chəz : concha sense 1