crustacean

noun

crus·​ta·​cean ˌkrə-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce crustacean (audio)
: any of a large class (Crustacea) of mostly aquatic mandibulate arthropods that have a chitinous or calcareous and chitinous exoskeleton, a pair of often much modified appendages on each segment, and two pairs of antennae and that include the lobsters, shrimp, crabs, wood lice, water fleas, and barnacles
crustacean adjective

Examples of crustacean 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.
It was later adopted in English to refer specifically to the small, shrimp-like marine crustaceans that whales and other sea animals feed on. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 The list also includes eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. may lead to a number of symptoms, including hives, rashes, swelling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and coughing or wheezing. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025 Blue whales — the planet’s largest animal — subsist on tiny crustaceans called krill. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025 The top food allergens include milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. Corinne Savides Happel, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crustacean

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crustacean was in 1835

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Cite this Entry

“Crustacean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crustacean. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

crustacean

noun
crus·​ta·​cean ˌkrəs-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce crustacean (audio)
: any of a large class of mostly water-dwelling arthropods (as lobsters, shrimps, crabs, wood lice, water fleas, and barnacles) having an exoskeleton of chitin or chitin and a compound of calcium
crustacean adjective

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