Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Cambarus

noun
Cam·​ba·​rus | \ ˈkambərəs\

Definition of Cambarus 

: a genus of crayfishes (family Astacidae) lacking pleurobranchiae, having a specialized sperm receptacle, and including the common large crayfishes of eastern North America some of which (especially C. limosus) are used as food

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Cambarus

New Latin, alteration (influenced by Late Latin gambarus, alteration of Latin cammarus) of Latin cammarus sea crab, lobster, from Greek kammaros; akin to Old Norse humarr lobster, Sanskrit kamaṭha tortoise, and probably to Latin camur curved

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Cambarus

Dictionary Entries near Cambarus

camauro

Cambacérès

Cambar

Cambarus

cambaye

Cambay, Gulf of

camber

Statistics for Cambarus

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Cambarus

What made you want to look up Cambarus? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

farouche

marked by shyness and lack of polish

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

  • three-bears-two-of-them-look-like-theyre-whispering-to-a-third-bear-who-looks-chuffed-to-be-the-center-of-attention
  • In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games