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

Guests will be served a five-course prix-fixe menu showcasing seafood and crustaceans from the Pacific Ocean. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025

The other eight include eggs, fish, wheat, soybeans, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts and sesame. —Jasmine Laws, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025

At the time, her fans were hoping the online crustacean sensation would make it to her ninth birthday. —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 20 Feb. 2025

Stone crab is on the menu, but Bienvenu said the restaurant won’t be known specifically for the seasonal crustaceans in the same way Joe’s is. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crustacean

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

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