crawdad

noun

craw·​dad ˈkrȯ-ˌdad How to pronounce crawdad (audio)
: crayfish sense 1
used chiefly west of the Appalachians

Examples of crawdad 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.
Some of my happiest childhood memories were spent with Grandma Joy at Blue Rock State Park, catching crawdads in the stream and exploring the woods together. Brad Ryan, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026 But most bait users stick to tried-and-true oldies — minnows and worms, crawdads and crickets. Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026 They're also known as craydids, crawdads, and rock lobsters, and they're found in swamps, rivers, and lakes. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 May 2026 How Gibson likes to cook his crawdads is by taking the time to season the inside of the shell, because that’s where the meat is. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crawdad

Word History

Etymology

alteration of crawfish

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crawdad was in 1878

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crawdad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crawdad. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

crawdad

noun
craw·​dad ˈkrȯ-ˌdad How to pronounce crawdad (audio)
dialect

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