crayfish
Americannoun
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crayfish,
plural
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crayfishes
plural
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Also called crawdad, crawdaddy. any freshwater decapod crustacean of the genera Astacus and Cambarus, closely related to but smaller than the lobsters.
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any of several similar marine crustaceans, especially the spiny lobster.
noun
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any freshwater decapod crustacean of the genera Astacus and Cambarus, resembling a small lobster
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any of various similar crustaceans, esp the spiny lobster
Usage
What does crayfish mean? A crayfish is a freshwater crustacean related to the lobster but smaller. Crayfish is also used as the name of several similar saltwater crustaceans, especially the spiny lobster (also called the rock lobster). The plural of crayfish can be crayfish or crayfishes. When used as a plural, crayfish typically refers to them collectively, while crayfishes usually refers to two or more kinds or species (but this isn’t always the case). Crayfish aren’t fish—they’re shellfish. Other types of crustaceans include crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. There are several different species of both freshwater and saltwater crayfish. Freshwater ones are also referred to by the names crawfish, crawdad, and crawdaddy. Use of these terms varies by region. Example: When I was a kid, we used to catch crayfish in the creek.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of crayfish
1350–1400; alteration (by folk etymology) of Middle English crevis < Middle French crevice < Old High German krebiz crab 1
Compare meaning
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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.
See Examples For:
Rather than being primarily controlled by environmental conditions, crayfish growth may be constrained by the animals' own biology.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
Their measurements provided some of the first estimates of the upper size limits for North American crayfish, and the results suggested that these animals may face a surprisingly consistent growth ceiling.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
A giant crayfish nicknamed "Crawzilla" has sparked an unexpected scientific discovery, revealing a possible biological limit to how large North America's crayfish can grow.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
Environmental specialist Peter Cunningham told AFP that potential sediment plumes could impact rocky shoreline habitats, crayfish spawning and breeding species.
From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026
Capturing a crayfish was tricky; one had to grab it firmly between its head and tail or it would wiggle free.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Their warfare on crayfishes must not be overlooked, nor must we forget the more personal debt of gratitude we owe them for preying upon mosquitoes.
From Our Vanishing Wild Life Its Extermination and Preservation by William Temple Hornaday
And yet, objectively considered, there is no reason to be less disgusted at the eating of crayfishes than when some other kind of animal is eaten in the same manner.
From The Sexual Life of the Child by Eden Paul
I afterward visited the locality several times, collecting specimens of the mounds and crayfishes, which are now in the United States National Museum, and making observations.
From Scientific American Supplement, No. 446, July 19, 1884 by Various
The crayfishes would leave these little retreats whenever disturbed, and swim away down stream out of sight.
From Scientific American Supplement, No. 446, July 19, 1884 by Various
In South America crayfishes are found in southern Brazil, Argentina and Chile.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6 "Coucy-le-Château" to "Crocodile" by Various
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