spider crab
noun
: 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 expedition cruise line was the first mainstream operator to offer scuba diving in the frigid waters off Antarctica, where the sea life includes spider crabs, soft corals, and walls of giant kelp.
—
Scott Bay, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025
These small tapas-like bites are often skewered with a toothpick and include everything from spider crab and seared foie gras to the classic Gilda (anchovy, olive, and pickled pepper).
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Japanese spider crabs the size of Labrador retrievers stalk a whale skeleton.
—John Metcalfe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
Octopi, spider crabs, urchins, and countless fish are already settling in.
—Terry Ward, TIME, 25 July 2024
Monterey is famous for its kelp forests and the unique marine life that thrives in that ecosystem, like sea otters, spider crabs, nudibranchs, massive sea stars, and sea lions.
—Outside Online, 24 July 2024
In our quest for Wild Wales, we were supposed to have been at the bottom of Cardigan Bay, snorkeling for spider crabs with James Lynch.
—Tom Vanderbilt, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2024
In the deep, 13-foot-wide giant spider crabs are usually the predators themselves.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2024
Also on the menu were massive crab legs from Japanese spider crabs, bison burgers, ice cream and cheese straws.
—David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 7 May 2023
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Scott Bay, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025
These small tapas-like bites are often skewered with a toothpick and include everything from spider crab and seared foie gras to the classic Gilda (anchovy, olive, and pickled pepper).
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Japanese spider crabs the size of Labrador retrievers stalk a whale skeleton.
—John Metcalfe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
Octopi, spider crabs, urchins, and countless fish are already settling in.
—Terry Ward, TIME, 25 July 2024
Monterey is famous for its kelp forests and the unique marine life that thrives in that ecosystem, like sea otters, spider crabs, nudibranchs, massive sea stars, and sea lions.
—Outside Online, 24 July 2024
In our quest for Wild Wales, we were supposed to have been at the bottom of Cardigan Bay, snorkeling for spider crabs with James Lynch.
—Tom Vanderbilt, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2024
In the deep, 13-foot-wide giant spider crabs are usually the predators themselves.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2024
Also on the menu were massive crab legs from Japanese spider crabs, bison burgers, ice cream and cheese straws.
—David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 7 May 2023
Cite this Entry
“Spider crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spider%20crab. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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