crayfish

noun

cray·​fish ˈkrā-ˌfish How to pronounce crayfish (audio)
1
: any of numerous freshwater decapod crustaceans (especially families Astacidea, Cambaridae, and Parastacidae) resembling the lobster but usually much smaller
2
: spiny lobster

Illustration of crayfish

Illustration of crayfish
  • crayfish 1

Examples of crayfish 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.
One was a zinc protease used in a crayfish’s digestive system. — ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 Spain’s residents have adapted to these changes and built a commercial fishing industry based on crayfish. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026 The loss of cool mix for this year worries the Park Service and others who want to stall and ultimately thwart the invasion, including the new threat of crayfish. — Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2026 And the project was actually looking at regeneration in crayfish. — Quanta Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crayfish

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from Middle English crevis, from Anglo-French creveis, escreveice, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German krebiz crab — more at crab

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crayfish was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing crayfish

Browse Nearby Words

crayer
crayfish
craylet
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crayfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crayfish. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

crayfish

noun
cray·​fish ˈkrā-ˌfish How to pronounce crayfish (audio)
1
: any of numerous freshwater crustaceans that are related to but usually much smaller than the lobster
2
: spiny lobster

More from Merriam-Webster on crayfish

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crayfish

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