crustacean

noun

crus·​ta·​cean ˌkrə-ˈstā-shən 

: any of a large class (Crustacea) of mostly aquatic mandibulate arthropods that have a chitinous or calcareous and chitinous exoskeleton, a pair of often much modified appendages on each segment, and two pairs of antennae and that include the lobsters, shrimp, crabs, wood lice, water fleas, and barnacles

crustacean adjective

Examples of crustacean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

New England produces some of the best oysters in the world, and as the name suggests, crustaceans are a main event here. —Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Some can add extra nutrients that crustaceans need. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 June 2026

The shark can extend its jaw all the way down its snout to help catch fish, squids and crustaceans. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 12 June 2026

The rostrum is covered in what is called Ampullae of Lorenzini, which are specialized sensory organs filled with gel that conduct electricity and allow the goblin sharks to search for squid, fish and crustaceans in the dark. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crustacean

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

crustacean

noun

crus·​ta·​cean ˌkrəs-ˈtā-shən 

: any of a large class of mostly water-dwelling arthropods (as lobsters, shrimps, crabs, wood lice, water fleas, and barnacles) having an exoskeleton of chitin or chitin and a compound of calcium

crustacean adjective