Illustration of crayfish
- crayfish 1
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
Examples of crayfish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Marshes that were normally dry inundated, expanding habitat for small fish and crayfish, which spiked their populations.
—
Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
On a recent 80-degree day at Rock Creek Park, an urban national park in the heart of Washington D.C., a dozen children as young as four sank their hands into the creek mud, discovered crayfish hiding beneath rocks, and picked grass out of their hair.
—Ava Berger, NPR, 22 Apr. 2026
But by driving declines in crayfish, which underpin the wetland food web, swamp eels have the potential to disrupt the entire system.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Mar. 2026
Zoee's path from professional dirt bike racing and crayfish diving in Tasmania to a Nashville music career has been a winding road.
—Amber Roberson, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crayfish
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.
Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
On a recent 80-degree day at Rock Creek Park, an urban national park in the heart of Washington D.C., a dozen children as young as four sank their hands into the creek mud, discovered crayfish hiding beneath rocks, and picked grass out of their hair.
—Ava Berger, NPR, 22 Apr. 2026
But by driving declines in crayfish, which underpin the wetland food web, swamp eels have the potential to disrupt the entire system.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Mar. 2026
Zoee's path from professional dirt bike racing and crayfish diving in Tasmania to a Nashville music career has been a winding road.
—Amber Roberson, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crayfish
Cite this Entry
“Crayfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crayfish. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
