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

Spain’s residents have adapted to these changes and built a commercial fishing industry based on crayfish. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

The loss of cool mix for this year worries the Park Service and others who want to stall and ultimately thwart the invasion, including the new threat of crayfish. — Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2026

And the project was actually looking at regeneration in crayfish. — Quanta Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County invites the community to take part in the eighth annual Rusty Rodeo, a free, family-friendly event focused on removing invasive rusty crayfish from local waterways, district officials said. — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

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