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

See Examples For:

spiny lobster

The waters around Sark are home to species including European spiny lobster, rays, catsharks, octopus and pink sea fans.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

Over the weekend, spiny lobster farmers in Southern California began setting traps for the start of their season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2021

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

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