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
But fortunately, the larvae happily fed on the tiny crustaceans called copepods that the aquarists gave them.
—
Ari Daniel, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
These crustaceans, worms, fish, and others keep their home clean by grazing on the algae that encrusts seagrass leaves.
—David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
Most seasons at Lawson’s facility, the job of peeling and packaging thousands of pounds of the sweet-tasting, bright red crustaceans is handled by more than 100 foreign workers.
—Stephen Smith, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Most seasons at Lawson's facility, the job of peeling and packaging thousands of pounds of the sweet-tasting, bright red crustaceans is handled by more than 100 foreign workers.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crustacean
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.
Ari Daniel, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
These crustaceans, worms, fish, and others keep their home clean by grazing on the algae that encrusts seagrass leaves.
—David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
Most seasons at Lawson’s facility, the job of peeling and packaging thousands of pounds of the sweet-tasting, bright red crustaceans is handled by more than 100 foreign workers.
—Stephen Smith, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Most seasons at Lawson's facility, the job of peeling and packaging thousands of pounds of the sweet-tasting, bright red crustaceans is handled by more than 100 foreign workers.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crustacean
Cite this Entry
“Crustacean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crustacean. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
