king crab

noun

1
: horseshoe crab
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.
The menu includes king crab legs, whole lobsters, sushi, crab legs, oysters and shrimp. — Richard Guzman, Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026 Dishes include beef tartare, king crab tart and pistachio frangipane tart. — Ana Khan, Houston Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026 The state's pristine waters are home to salmon, halibut, king crab, snow crab, and spot prawns that chefs say taste noticeably different when eaten close to the source. — Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026 The 27-year-old restaurant is a celebrity hotspot where professional athletes, actors and billionaires are often seen dining on tomahawk steaks and king crab. — Claire Ballor, Dallas Morning News, 4 Mar. 2026 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

Rhymes for king crab

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Browse Nearby Words

king conch
king crab
kingcraft
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“King crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/king%20crab. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

king crab

noun
1
: horseshoe crab
2
: any of several very large crabs

More from Merriam-Webster on king crab

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about king crab

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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