spider crab

noun

: any of a family (Majidae) of crabs with extremely long legs and nearly triangular bodies which they often cover with kelp

Examples of spider crab in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Also on the menu were massive crab legs from Japanese spider crabs, bison burgers, ice cream and cheese straws. David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 7 May 2023 What is a Japanese spider crab? National Geographic, 16 Sep. 2020 In the depths of the Pacific Ocean lives the otherworldly Japanese spider crab. Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 6 Dec. 2022 Then there was a fresh chickpea salad, followed by ravioli of spider crab and algae, individually and beautifully plated on Vista Alegre tableware (the most prestigious in Portugal). Ann Abel, Forbes, 30 Aug. 2021 Carefully curated menu highlights include lamb meatball pita, raw shrimp with fried head, spider crab salad, confit pork belly, along with daily specials. Roger Sands, Forbes, 16 May 2021 Although tacos have become Tijuana's most famous food export, innovative chefs below the border are bringing the city to the forefront of culinary excellence by preparing such dishes as squid, tuna, spider crab salad and confit pork belly. Roger Sands, Forbes, 16 May 2021 The common spider crab on the East Coast ranges from Nova Scotia through Florida and the Gulf Coast. Popular Science, 19 Oct. 2020 Researchers have observed that a molt of a single Japanese spider crab in captivity took 103 minutes, and the crab’s growth rate was nearly 22 percent. National Geographic, 16 Sep. 2020

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

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1710, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spider crab was circa 1710

Dictionary Entries Near spider crab

Cite this Entry

“Spider crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spider%20crab. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

spider crab

noun
: any of numerous crabs with very long legs and nearly triangular bodies

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