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

As a keystone species, sea turtles influence multiple levels of marine food webs, balancing the populations of jellyfish, crustaceans, seagrass and algae, which different sea turtle species consume. —Luena Rodriguez-Feo Vileira, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024

Over the millennia, these appendages evolved into specialized limbs seen in modern crustaceans and arachnids. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Birds perched on craggy landings, presumably in search of fish and crustaceans that get trapped in pools on the top of the reef platform. —Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024

Octopuses typically hunt by feel, stealthily sticking their tentacles into crevasses to feel, taste, and flush out prey such as crustaceans, snails, and small fish. —Byhannah Richter, science.org, 23 Sep. 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