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hermit crab

noun

: any of numerous chiefly marine small decapod crustaceans (especially families Diogenidae, Paguridae, and Parapaguridae) having soft asymmetrical abdomens and occupying the empty shells of gastropods

Illustration of hermit crab

Illustration of hermit crab

Examples of hermit crab in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The hermit crab benefits from this partnership with the anemone by achieving a larger body size than its relatives. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 Nov. 2025 In each one, snails and hermit crabs help keep it free of algae. Greg Allen, NPR, 21 Oct. 2025 In 2025, they were joined in Fiji by 4-year-old daughter Charlie and almost 2-year-old son Bud, who love creating drawings in mom’s office, hunting for hermit crabs on the beach and feeding fish from the pier. Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025 Wake up with the distinct call of the Asian koel and walk the silica shores as hermit crabs scuttle by and baby blacktip reef sharks play in the lapping waves. Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hermit crab

Word History

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hermit crab was in 1735

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Cite this Entry

“Hermit crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hermit%20crab. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

hermit crab

noun
: any of various small crabs that occupy empty mollusk shells

More from Merriam-Webster on hermit crab

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