Meaning & Definition of word "Shell"

noun:

• 1. The hard, protective outer case of a mollusk or other marine animal.
  • Example: She found a beautiful shell on the beach, glistening in the sunlight.
• 2. A hard exterior or structure that protects or contains something.
  • Example: The egg's shell is fragile, so handle it carefully.
• 3. A casing or container for a projectile, typically used in firearms or artillery.
  • Example: The soldier loaded a shell into the cannon before firing.
• 4. A hollow or empty structure, often used to describe something that is no longer filled or functioning.
  • Example: The factory stood as a shell of its former self, abandoned and silent.

verb:

• 1. To remove the outer covering of something.
  • Example: She will shell the peas before cooking them for dinner.
• 2. To bomb or bombard a target with explosive projectiles.
  • Example: The troops were ordered to shell the enemy positions at dawn.