A clambake is a traditional New England feast where clams and other seafood are cooked together, often by steaming them over hot rocks buried in a beach pit. The cook layers seaweed, clams, lobsters, corn, and potatoes in the pit, then covers everything with wet canvas or more seaweed. The steam from the seaweed cooks the food slowly, giving it a distinctive smoky, salty flavor.

The tradition started with Native American communities along the Atlantic coast, who taught early colonists this cooking method. Today, clambakes are popular summer gatherings in coastal towns, though most modern ones use large pots rather than beach pits. Families and communities gather for clambakes to celebrate, tell stories, and enjoy fresh seafood together.

The word has also taken on a broader meaning: any relaxed, informal outdoor party or gathering. Someone might say “Let's have a clambake in the backyard this weekend” even if they're just grilling hamburgers and not cooking a single clam. In this casual sense, clambake suggests a fun, easygoing get-together rather than anything fancy or formal.