rock crab

American

noun

any of several crabs that live along rocky beaches, especially those of the genus Cancer, as C. irroratus, of the eastern coast of North America, having the rear legs modified for running.

Etymology

Origin of rock crab

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Jue said he has three other types of fishing permits, which allow him to continue earning a living by catching Dungeness crab, rock crab and rockfish.

From Los Angeles Times

I want to say that I am a rock crab and Tressa is a seagull, but I know Grammy would say I am being dramatic.

From Literature

What brings the rock crab ashore to feed?

From Seattle Times

He pulled out a rock crab from California with a lovely speckled shell and a pair of California spiny lobsters with deep black and red shells.

From New York Times

In addition, the daily limit is six red rock crab of either sex per day, and must measure at least 5 inches across.

From Seattle Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023