spiny lobster

American  

noun

spiny lobsters plural

1. any of several edible crustaceans of the family Palinuridae, differing from the true lobsters in having a spiny shell and lacking the large pincers.

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spiny lobster British  

noun

1. Also called: rock lobster.   crawfish.   langouste.  any of various large edible marine decapod crustaceans of the genus Palinurus and related genera, having a very tough spiny carapace

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• spiny lobsters
  plural

Etymology

Origin of spiny lobster

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Juvenile Caribbean spiny lobster are finding shelter within the submerged roots before their journey to nearby reefs.

From BBC • Nov. 1, 2022

In the Keys, the bag limit for spiny lobster is six per person, per boat, the Herald reported.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 28, 2021

The waterside restaurant and bar serves simple seafood—order a three-pound spiny lobster, fresh off the grill, and pair it with a bottle of rosé.

From Time • Sep. 25, 2017

Together we swam up to a pair of red-glowing eyes that belonged to a large painted spiny lobster bristling with an exotic armored shell.

From New York Times • Feb. 18, 2016

In 1928, a spiny lobster cannery was established, but when the company went bankrupt in 1931, seven workers were abandoned.

From The 2008 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency