prawn

1 of 2

noun

ˈprȯn 

ˈprän

: any of various widely distributed edible decapod crustaceans: such as

a

: one (as of the genera Pandalus and Penaeus) that resembles shrimp and has a large compressed abdomen

b

: shrimp

especially : a large shrimp

c

: langoustine

prawn

2 of 2

verb

prawned; prawning; prawns

intransitive verb

: to fish for or with prawns

prawner noun

Examples of prawn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To make the iconic soup, prawns are boiled with distinctive ingredients like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal root, and shallots, according to UNESCO; its hallmark is its wide range of tastes, including sweet, sour, savory, spicy, creamy, and slightly bitter. —Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2024

Her Tamarind Bourbon Smash cocktail, with its fresh mint and citrus undertones, complements the prawns’ flavors, balancing their intensity with refreshing acidity. —Jennifer Ford, Essence, 2 Dec. 2024

Verb

The spendy options run from the eponymous Italian dishes of dressed fish to uni taco bites, caviar nachos and prawns a la plancha. —Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024

There are several Latin American influences, too, such as the lighter-than-air Tres Leches cake and the tiger prawns yello anticucho. —Michele Robson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English prane

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1886, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing prawn

• Dublin Bay prawn

Kids Definition

prawn

noun

ˈprȯn,

ˈprän

1

: any of numerous widespread edible crustaceans that resemble shrimps

2

: shrimp entry 1 sense 1

especially : a large shrimp