crayfish

noun

cray·​fish ˈkrā-ˌfish 

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

• crayfish 1

Examples of crayfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There have been some instances, however, when an upset crayfish comes home from a hard day of crayfishing only to have to kick out a frog and cap the burrow. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025

Known as the Okanagan crayfish, this species is found in north-central Washington and south-central British Columbia, Canada. —Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025

Their primary predators include raccoons, fish, reptiles and other crayfish. —Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Aug. 2025

Bramley pulled one, then began sorting crayfish according to the official regulations and his personal rules. —Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2025

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

Phrases Containing crayfish

• sea crayfish

Kids Definition

crayfish

noun

cray·​fish ˈkrā-ˌfish 

1

: any of numerous freshwater crustaceans that are related to but usually much smaller than the lobster

2

: spiny lobster