Dungeness crab

noun

Dunge·​ness crab ˌdən-jə-ˌnes- How to pronounce Dungeness crab (audio)
: a large edible crab (Metacarcinus magister) of the Pacific coast of North America from Alaska to California

Illustration of Dungeness crab

Illustration of dungeness crab

Examples of Dungeness crab 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.
Generally, blue, snow, and Dungeness crabs have a similar salty-sweet flavor, but differences in taste will occur based on factors like the saltiness of the water where they are caught, how they are processed, and how they are cooked. Susan Hall Mahon, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025 San Francisco famously boasts local Dungeness crab caught in the Pacific Ocean. Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025 California Hit With Another Earthquake California has 42 official state symbols after Governor Gavin Newsom signed three bills to create new symbols in 2024, including the Dungeness crab as the state crustacean, the banana slug as the state slug, and the black abalone as the state seashell. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025 Other species, including Pacific herring, Dungeness crab, Pismo clam, market squid, California spiny lobster, and pink shrimp, may also reach critical vulnerability levels if climate impacts intensify. Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Dungeness crab

Word History

Etymology

Dungeness, village on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Washington

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Dungeness crab was in 1896

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Cite this Entry

“Dungeness crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dungeness%20crab. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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