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

Wildlife can be found in all directions, with kestrels up above, and intriguing smooth newts and white-clawed crayfish in the stream running through the heart of the farm. —Will Barker, TheWeek, 7 May 2026

Marshes that were normally dry inundated, expanding habitat for small fish and crayfish, which spiked their populations. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

But by driving declines in crayfish, which underpin the wetland food web, swamp eels have the potential to disrupt the entire system. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Mar. 2026

Zoee's path from professional dirt bike racing and crayfish diving in Tasmania to a Nashville music career has been a winding road. —Amber Roberson, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Sep. 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