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

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

So far, brown bears are loving the carp, sea lions are tentatively enjoying the goldfish, and North American river otters have sampled goldfish and rusty crayfish. —Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025

This phenomenon is attributed to an overabundance of nutrient intake and the presence of invasive species such as crayfish and clams. —Amelia Wu, Sacbee.com, 11 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