hermit crab

noun

: any of numerous chiefly marine small decapod crustaceans (especially families Diogenidae, Paguridae, and Parapaguridae) having soft asymmetrical abdomens and occupying the empty shells of gastropods

Illustration of hermit crab

Illustration of hermit crab

Examples of hermit crab in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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There is also a lizard, four hermit crabs, a toothed frog, and a wall-size fish tank that the kids built with their father; its filtration system is based on the workings of a kidney. Melanie Thernstrom, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 What do hermit crabs do on Father's Day? Jamie Fischer, Parents, 20 June 2026 Avoid giving your hermit crab wood from apple, mango, hemlock or yew trees, though, as these can have toxic bark. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 June 2026 But also chickens, guinea pigs and even hermit crabs. Usa Today, USA Today, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hermit crab

Word History

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hermit crab was in 1735

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Cite this Entry

“Hermit crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hermit%20crab. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

hermit crab

noun
: any of various small crabs that occupy empty mollusk shells

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