noun
- aquatic mollusks having a shell composed of two hinged valves, such as clams, oysters, and mussels
Usage: biology; zoology
Examples
- Bivalves like clams and oysters are filter feeders that clean the water.
- The marine biologist studied various bivalves in the tidal pools.
- Oysters and mussels are common bivalves found in coastal waters.
- Many bivalves attach themselves to rocks or bury in sand.
- The restaurant served a platter of fresh bivalves including scallops and clams.
- Bivalves play an important role in aquatic ecosystems as filter feeders.