prawn

1 of 2

noun

ˈprȯn How to pronounce prawn (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
As the prawns began to spoil, the material provided a warning by changing from yellow to brown in color. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2024 The restaurant is using Chinese chorizo in a dish made of prawns with a chorizo peanut sauce. Reia Li, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 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 See all Example Sentences for prawn 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of prawn was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near prawn

Cite this Entry

“Prawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prawn. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on prawn

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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