Dungeness crab

noun

Dunge·​ness crab ˌdən-jə-ˌnes- How to pronounce Dungeness crab (audio)
: a large edible crab (Metacarcinus magister) of the Pacific coast of North America from Alaska to California

Illustration of Dungeness crab

Illustration of dungeness crab

Examples of Dungeness crab in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web From 2014 to 2016, a Pacific Ocean heat wave forced anchovies and other humpback prey closer to shore and into the path of Dungeness crab fishing equipment. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2024 Ecola Restaurant & Market The Oregon Coast is known for its seafood, especially fresh oysters, Dungeness crab, calms, and albacore tuna. Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2024 No trip to the Oregon coast is complete without splurging on seafood — oysters, Dungeness crab, rockfish, halibut and more are all native to our shores. Meira Gebel, Axios, 9 July 2024 Seafood lovers should also note that Dungeness crab season starts in November. Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for Dungeness crab 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Dungeness crab.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Dungeness, village on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Washington

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Dungeness crab was in 1896

Dictionary Entries Near Dungeness crab

Cite this Entry

“Dungeness crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dungeness%20crab. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Dungeness crab

Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!