spider crab

noun

: any of a family (Majidae) of crabs with extremely long legs and nearly triangular bodies which they often cover with kelp

Examples of spider crab in a Sentence

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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.
Japanese spider crabs the size of Labrador retrievers stalk a whale skeleton. — John Metcalfe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024 Octopi, spider crabs, urchins, and countless fish are already settling in. — Terry Ward, TIME, 25 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1710, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spider crab was circa 1710

Rhymes for spider crab

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Cite this Entry

“Spider crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spider%20crab. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

spider crab

noun
: any of numerous crabs with very long legs and nearly triangular bodies

More from Merriam-Webster on spider crab

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spider crab

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