crustacea

plural noun

crus·​ta·​cea ˌkrə-ˈstā-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce crustacea (audio)
: arthropods that are crustaceans

Examples of crustacea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There’s primitive pleasure in devouring a complete crustacea, exoskeleton and all. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 18 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crustacea.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, group name, from neuter plural of crustaceus

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crustacea was in 1814

Dictionary Entries Near crustacea

Cite this Entry

“Crustacea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crustacea. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

crustacea

noun plural
crus·​ta·​cea ˌkrəs-ˈtā-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce crustacea (audio)
: arthropods that are crustaceans

Medical Definition

crustacea

noun plural
crus·​ta·​cea ˌkrəs-ˈtā-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce crustacea (audio)
1
capitalized : a large class of mostly aquatic 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, shrimps, crabs, wood lice, water fleas, and barnacles
2
: arthropods of the class Crustacea
crustacean adjective or noun
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