blue crab

noun

: a large bluish-green edible crab (Callinectes sapidus of the family Portunidae) of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts

Illustration of blue crab

Illustration of blue crab

Examples of blue crab in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Their seafood counter sells an abundance of fresh fish and clams — milk fish, tilapia, golden pompano from Taiwan, catfish, and, in a bucket, live blue crabs. Reia Li, The Arizona Republic, 23 July 2024 Zoom in: Native aquatic plants and underwater grass beds will be added to the marsh to create nursery habitat for species such as blue crabs, the Gulf sturgeon and rangia clams, officials say. Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 25 July 2024 Not only are the views unbelievable, but the fish is fresh, the salads are refreshing, and the sides, like blue crab fried rice, are decadent. Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 19 July 2024 The total catches of hard blue crab, rockfish (also known as striped bass), yellow perch and other native Maryland species have declined between 27 percent and 91 percent since 2012, according to the state. Joe Heim, Washington Post, 18 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for blue crab 

Word History

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blue crab was in 1763

Dictionary Entries Near blue crab

Cite this Entry

“Blue crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blue%20crab. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

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