crustacean

noun

crus·ta·cean | \ˌkrə-ˈstā-shən

Definition of crustacean

: any of a large class (Crustacea) of mostly aquatic mandibulate arthropods that have a chitinous or calcareous and chitinous exoskeleton, a pair of often much modified appendages on each segment, and two pairs of antennae and that include the lobsters, shrimp, crabs, wood lice, water fleas, and barnacles

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But this may not be the worst thing in the world: For many celestial crustaceans, birthdays can be quite anxiety-inducing. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What August's Cancer Horoscope Means for You," 30 July 2018 These silent killers wrap themselves around reefs and claiming the lives of millions of marine creatures great and small, from sponges and tiny crustaceans to dolphins, sharks, and whales. — Elena Bectoros, The Christian Science Monitor, "Divers help to remove abandoned, destructive 'ghost' nets," 8 June 2018 Temperatures in the Arctic have risen faster than anywhere else in the world, creating more open water that is apparently improving conditions for the tiny krill and other crustaceans the bowheads eat, scientists said. — Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, "Bowhead whales, dwellers of icy seas, enjoy steady growth off Alaska in the age of climate change," 13 May 2018 And all of it is prime estuarine habitat supporting finfish, crabs, crustaceans and other marine life. — Shannon Tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Cow Trap Lake Project a success on multiple levels," 10 May 2018 The omnivorous crustaceans graze on phytoplankton in open water, and some larger adults crawl along the sea floor. — Elaina Zachos, National Geographic, "Thousands of Tiny Red Crustaceans Strand on California Beach," 12 June 2018 Known primarily as food for aquarium fish, these mostly transparent crustaceans eat algae and protozoa and survive for about 40 days when kept at room temperature. — Karen Weintraub, BostonGlobe.com, "A doctor wages personal and professional battles against aging," 23 June 2018 The first water sign, these celestial crustaceans are governed by the moon, and they're known for their nurturing, compassionate, and sensitive dispositions. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What Your Zodiac Sign Says About Your Worst Relationship Habit," 14 May 2018 Once demand for crab feasts slackens, picking houses become important buyers of any of those undersized crustaceans. — Scott Dance, baltimoresun.com, "After July Fourth crab feasts, an uncertain season for Maryland seafood industry," 6 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crustacean.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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14 Nov 2018

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The first known use of crustacean was in 1835

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More Definitions for crustacean

crustacean

noun

English Language Learners Definition of crustacean

: a type of animal (such as a crab or lobster) that has several pairs of legs and a body made up of sections that are covered in a hard outer shell

See the full definition for crustacean in the English Language Learners Dictionary

crustacean

noun

crus·ta·cean | \ˌkrəs-ˈtā-shən

Kids Definition of crustacean

: any of a large group of mostly water animals (as crabs, lobsters, and shrimps) with a body made of segments, a tough outer shell, two pairs of antennae, and limbs that are jointed