crustacean

noun

crus·​ta·​cean ˌkrə-ˈstā-shən 

: any of a large class (Crustacea) of mostly aquatic mandibulate arthropods that have a chitinous or calcareous and chitinous exoskeleton, a pair of often much modified appendages on each segment, and two pairs of antennae and that include the lobsters, shrimp, crabs, wood lice, water fleas, and barnacles

crustacean adjective

Examples of crustacean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Soaked in Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, and garlic, then marinated in apple cider vinegar and celery seeds, these crustaceans are full of flavor. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026

Key Takeaways Shrimp is a popular crustacean that is rich in protein, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2026

Smart recently admitted to one count of causing criminal damage to a lobster in court after taking the pet lobster from the restaurant and throwing the live crustacean into the nearby harbor, according to The Times. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026

Their diet is the most diverse of any of the smaller whales, eating over 100 species of marine and freshwater fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and zooplankton. —Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crustacean

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

crustacean

noun

crus·​ta·​cean ˌkrəs-ˈtā-shən 

: any of a large class of mostly water-dwelling arthropods (as lobsters, shrimps, crabs, wood lice, water fleas, and barnacles) having an exoskeleton of chitin or chitin and a compound of calcium

crustacean adjective