Dungeness crab

noun

Dunge·​ness crab ˌdən-jə-ˌnes- How to pronounce Dungeness crab (audio)
: a large edible crab (Metacarcinus magister) of the Pacific coast of North America from Alaska to California

Illustration of Dungeness crab

Illustration of dungeness crab

Examples of Dungeness crab in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
According to the nonprofit conservation group Oceana, a participant in those discussions, during the period from May to Oct. 21 of this year, four humpback whales were confirmed entangled in California commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear. Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024 From 2014 to 2016, a Pacific Ocean heat wave forced anchovies and other humpback prey closer to shore and into the path of Dungeness crab fishing equipment. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2024 Ecola Restaurant & Market The Oregon Coast is known for its seafood, especially fresh oysters, Dungeness crab, calms, and albacore tuna. Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2024 No trip to the Oregon coast is complete without splurging on seafood — oysters, Dungeness crab, rockfish, halibut and more are all native to our shores. Meira Gebel, Axios, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for Dungeness crab 

Word History

Etymology

Dungeness, village on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Washington

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Dungeness crab was in 1896

Dictionary Entries Near Dungeness crab

Cite this Entry

“Dungeness crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dungeness%20crab. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Dungeness crab

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!