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.
Wildlife can be found in all directions, with kestrels up above, and intriguing smooth newts and white-clawed crayfish in the stream running through the heart of the farm. — Will Barker, TheWeek, 7 May 2026 Waterbirds eat crab, shrimp and crayfish found in the muddy waters, while batrays and leopard sharks glide effortlessly through grass beds off the coast. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026 The omnivores will eat fish, turtles, crabs, mollusks, birds, oysters, shellfish, crayfish, frogs, rodents and insects. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 22 Apr. 2026 Previous studies have examined everything from crayfish to eel larvae. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 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 8 Jul. 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

Nglish: Translation of crayfish for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crayfish

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