crustacean

noun

crus·​ta·​cean ˌkrə-ˈstā-shən 

: 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

Shipments that comply with U.S. law are safe — but not all shipments do, said Julie Lively, a crustacean expert and associate professor at the Louisiana State University AgCenter. —Erik Vance, New York Times, 28 May 2024

Here, across all this extraordinary abundance, is the modern manifestation of ancient wisdom, born of necessity, in wasting nothing — certainly no part of a butchered animal; no catchable fish or crustacean or mollusk; no fruit, however prickly its skin; no leafy plant, root vegetable or fungus. —Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 15 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

crustacean

noun

crus·​ta·​cean ˌkrəs-ˈtā-shən 

: 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