sea urchin

American  

noun

1. any echinoderm of the class Echinoidea, having a somewhat globular or discoid form, and a shell composed of many calcareous plates covered with projecting spines.

2. a tall evergreen shrub or small tree, Hakea laurina, of Australia, having narrow leaves and dense, globe-shaped clusters of crimson flowers with long yellow stamens.

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sea urchin British  

noun

1. any echinoderm of the class Echinoidea, such as Echinus esculentus ( edible sea urchin ), typically having a globular body enclosed in a rigid spiny test and occurring in shallow marine waters

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Etymology

Origin of sea urchin

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

Sea urchin populations began to explode off the coast of Oregon following the Sea Star Wasting Syndrome pandemic that began in 2013.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2024

Sea urchin may be the only constant in Mr. Nakajima’s menus, and even this changes.

From New York Times • Aug. 31, 2021

Sea urchin may appear atop a summery round of fried shrimp toast or buried in a kind of shepherd’s pie that includes potato chips and cured egg yolk underneath its mashed potato crust.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2017

Sea urchin is a new cuisine for me, and the way it is prepared in a souplike concoction makes it both delicate and tasty.

From Washington Times • Jun. 4, 2017

Sea urchin is one; the last time I went, there wasn’t any.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2017