1. large marine snails with spiral shells, often eaten as seafood

Examples

• The fisherman collected whelks from the rocky shore at low tide.
• Whelks are commonly served in seafood restaurants along the coast.
• The empty whelk shells washed up on the beach after the storm.
• She ordered a plate of boiled whelks with garlic butter.
• Whelks use their muscular foot to move across the ocean floor.
• The large whelks in the tide pool fascinated the marine biology students.