king crab

noun

1
2
: any of several very large crabs
especially : one (Paralithoides camtschaticus) of the North Pacific caught commercially for food

Examples of king crab in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Or a one-pound Alaskan red king crab goes for $125. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025 Menus feature local ingredients like Chilean king crab, Patagonian lamb and guanaco, foraged fruit and herbs, and homemade sopaipillas pastries. Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025 The offerings here are simple, but classic, with things like saba (mackerel) sushi, unagi (eel) handrolls, and king crab on the set menu. Aniesia Williams, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2025 Thankfully, Keith and his Wizard were also in far west waters near Adak Island on the hunt for red king crab and close enough to pick them up. EW.com, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for king crab

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of king crab was in 1612

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“King crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/king%20crab. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

king crab

noun
1
2
: any of several very large crabs

More from Merriam-Webster on king 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!