any of various tropical marine bivalves of the genus Pinctada and related genera: a major source of pearls
pearl oyster in American English
noun
any of several marine bivalve mollusks of the family Pteriidae, some of which formpearls of great value, inhabiting waters of eastern Asia and off the coasts of Panama and Lower California
Word origin
[1685–95]This word is first recorded in the period 1685–95. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: accumulator, lens, patchwork, protectorate, sterilize
Examples of 'pearl oyster' in a sentence
pearl oyster
The pearl oyster has a wonderful muscle in it, similar to a scallop.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There are some pearl oysters which are virtual pearl cases.