Definition of spider crab
: any of a family (Majidae) of crabs with extremely long legs and nearly triangular bodies which they often cover with kelp
Examples of spider crab in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The common spider crab on the East Coast ranges from Nova Scotia through Florida and the Gulf Coast.
—
Popular Science, "14 wild edibles you can pull right out of the ocean," 19 Oct. 2020
Researchers have observed that a molt of a single Japanese spider crab in captivity took 103 minutes, and the crab’s growth rate was nearly 22 percent.
—
National Geographic, "Japanese spider crab," 16 Sep. 2020
At the 12-seat Six Test Kitchen, chef Ricky Odbert serves a tasting menu with inventive dishes like spider crab with sorrel and pomelo.
—
Tanvi Chheda, Travel + Leisure, "This Long-overlooked California Region Has Offbeat Hotels, Stunning Beaches and Hiking Trails, and Some of the Best Wines in the West," 11 June 2020
Down there are bioluminescent or transparent fish and seaworms, giant spider crabs, vampire squid and the famous anglerfish.
—
Ashley Strickland, CNN, "The weird Upside Down science behind 'Stranger Things'," 4 July 2019
Explore all-new exhibit where family meets giant Pacific octopus, moon jellyfish and Japanese spider crabs.
—
Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do this week in Cincinnati: May 7-13," 7 May 2018
The Newport Aquarium's newest attraction, Ring of Fire, features giant Pacific octopus, moon jellyfish and Japanese spider crabs.
—
Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati.com, "Spring break: How to celebrate without leaving town," 26 Mar. 2018
Pacific octopus, moon jellyfish and Japanese spider crabs.
—
Rasputin Todd, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do in Cincinnati this week," 26 Feb. 2018
His idea of a good lunch included a dozen oysters, a spider crab with a half pint of mayonnaise, a dish of tripes à la mode de Caen, a partridge poached in cream and cider, a leg of lamb, a couple of steaks and a good Pont l’Évêque.
—
Moira Hodgson, WSJ, "Review: The American ‘Gourmands’ Way’ Through France," 17 Nov. 2017
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spider crab.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Learn More about spider crab
Dictionary Entries near spider crab
See More Nearby EntriesStatistics for spider crab
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Spider crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spider%20crab. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Comments on spider crab
What made you want to look up spider crab? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
The Exceptions Quiz III
-
- Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share spider crab
Time Traveler for spider crab
The first known use of spider crab was circa 1710
See more words from the same year