crustacean

noun

crus·​ta·​cean ˌkrə-ˈstā-shən 

: 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

crustacean adjective

Examples of crustacean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The eggs hatch in water, and the larvae are taken up by small crustaceans (copepods), the first intermediate host. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026

But the data also indicated that at least 7% of the species cats eat are insects and other invertebrates, particularly beetles, and less frequently crustaceans, arachnids, centipedes, snails and slugs, and millipedes. — Christopher A. Lepczyk, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

After reservoirs in the Netherlands were invaded in the 1990s, research showed ecological damage, with the bloody red shrimp outcompeting native small crustaceans and zooplankton for resources, Branstrator said. — Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 3 July 2026

Miami Beach Located at the south tip of Miami Beach, Joe’s Stone Crab pulled the crustaceans from the water during their season, October through May. — Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crustacean

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

crustacean

noun

crus·​ta·​cean ˌkrəs-ˈtā-shən 

: any of a large class of mostly water-dwelling arthropods (as lobsters, shrimps, crabs, wood lice, water fleas, and barnacles) having an exoskeleton of chitin or chitin and a compound of calcium

crustacean adjective