noun
plural shells
the hard outer covering of an animal, insect, etc., that protects it [count]
the hard outer covering of an egg :eggshell [count]
the hard outer covering of a nut, fruit, or seed [count]
[count] US :something (such as pasta) that is shaped like a shell
[count] :the hard outer structure of a building, car, airplane, etc. - usually singular
[count] chiefly US :a hard or crisp piece of bread, dough, etc., that is used to hold a filling
[count] a metal case that is filled with an explosive and that is shot from a cannon
b chiefly US :a metal tube that you put into a gun and that holds an explosive and a bullet :cartridge
a - used in phrases that describe becoming less shy and more willing to talk to other people
b - used in phrases that describe becoming quieter, less active, etc.
verb
shells; shelled; shelling
[+ obj] to remove the shell or outer covering of (something)
to shoot shells at (someone or something) using large guns
US informal :to score heavily against (a pitcher) in baseball - usually used as (be) shelled
shell out
[phrasal verb]
shell out or shell out (money) informal :to pay a large amount of money for something - usually + for
US