crayfish

noun

cray·​fish ˈkrā-ˌfish How to pronounce crayfish (audio)
1
: any of numerous freshwater decapod crustaceans (especially families Astacidea, Cambaridae, and Parastacidae) resembling the lobster but usually much smaller
2

Illustration of crayfish

Illustration of crayfish
  • crayfish 1

Examples of crayfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The New Guinea crayfish discovery has also been tied to conservation. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025 The species studied included fish, decapod crustaceans -- such as crabs, crayfishes and shrimps -- and odonates, such as dragonflies and damsel flies. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2025 This unique invertebrate — and its leg-deficient relative, the centipede — is more closely related to lobsters, crayfish and shrimp, despite spending its days foraging in the leaf litter instead of on ocean floors. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025 The species comes in two color forms: Blue form crayfish are a dark hue with orange joints and tails, while purple form crayfish are turquoise with purple spots and white along their joints and tails. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for crayfish 

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from Middle English crevis, from Anglo-French creveis, escreveice, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German krebiz crab — more at crab

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crayfish was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near crayfish

Cite this Entry

“Crayfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crayfish. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

crayfish

noun
cray·​fish ˈkrā-ˌfish How to pronounce crayfish (audio)
1
: any of numerous freshwater crustaceans that are related to but usually much smaller than the lobster
2

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