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
The small crustaceans have fewer toxins like mercury, often found in large fish, according to experts.
—
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
While Maine is renowned nationwide for its thriving seafood scene, there’s a lot more to encounter across the Pine Tree State than just crustaceans.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Sea bream—a fish which fed on mussels, snails and crustaceans—formed the lowest level of the food chain, followed by smaller shark species such as requiem sharks and the ancestors of today's cetaceans, dolphins and whales.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
Isopods are a diverse group of invertebrates that includes pill bugs and woodlice, among others, and are part of the larger category of crustaceans, a category best known for including crabs, lobsters and shrimp.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
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.
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
While Maine is renowned nationwide for its thriving seafood scene, there’s a lot more to encounter across the Pine Tree State than just crustaceans.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Sea bream—a fish which fed on mussels, snails and crustaceans—formed the lowest level of the food chain, followed by smaller shark species such as requiem sharks and the ancestors of today's cetaceans, dolphins and whales.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
Isopods are a diverse group of invertebrates that includes pill bugs and woodlice, among others, and are part of the larger category of crustaceans, a category best known for including crabs, lobsters and shrimp.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for crustacean
Cite this Entry
“Crustacean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crustacean. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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
Share