crayfish

noun

cray·​fish ˈkrā-ˌfish 

1

: any of numerous freshwater decapod crustaceans (especially families Astacidea, Cambaridae, and Parastacidae) resembling the lobster but usually much smaller

2

: spiny lobster

Illustration of crayfish

• crayfish 1

Examples of crayfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The water rats may have started feasting on harder animals like crayfish and mussels, which pushed monotremes toward softer foods like shrimp and worms. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2024

Brown, for example, can represent a crayfish or goby. —Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 23 May 2024

The invasive red swamp crayfish comes from the southeastern U.S., but was discovered for the first time in southern Michigan in 2017. —Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024

In modern crayfish, gastroliths serve to store calcium carbonate, an essential component of their exoskeletons. —Kristi Curry Rogers, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from Middle English crevis, from Anglo-French creveis, escreveice, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German krebiz crab — more at crab

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing crayfish

• sea crayfish

Kids Definition

crayfish

noun

cray·​fish ˈkrā-ˌfish 

1

: any of numerous freshwater crustaceans that are related to but usually much smaller than the lobster

2

: spiny lobster