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
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California Hit With Another Earthquake California has 42 official state symbols after Governor Gavin Newsom signed three bills to create new symbols in 2024, including the Dungeness crab as the state crustacean, the banana slug as the state slug, and the black abalone as the state seashell. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025 Other species, including Pacific herring, Dungeness crab, Pismo clam, market squid, California spiny lobster, and pink shrimp, may also reach critical vulnerability levels if climate impacts intensify. Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025 California’s crabby conundrum Dungeness crabs are plucked from the Pacific to use for sushi rolls, salads and their namesake cakes. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025 The 10-day schedule is as loaded as crab legs in a pot and features a sparkling wine and oyster celebration, Dungeness crab feeds, caviar tastings, cioppino dinners and weekend pairing specials at Mendocino wineries. John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Dungeness crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dungeness%20crab. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

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