blue crab

noun

: a large bluish-green edible crab (Callinectes sapidus of the family Portunidae) of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts

Illustration of blue crab

Illustration of blue crab

Examples of blue crab in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Papik also said fishing policies are being amended that would allow native species to reclaim some of their number, like growing mollusks that are less susceptible to the alien blue crab. — ABC News, 30 July 2026 Now, instead of just exhibiting whale fossils, the space is home to a 250-gallon saltwater tank that houses local South Coast species including blue crab, Forbes’ sea star and northern pufferfish. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026 In Italy, blue crab is used mostly in pet food and occasionally served in restaurants. — Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 18 July 2026 The island is known for its fresh blue crabs and waterman way of life. — Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for blue crab

Word History

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blue crab was in 1763

Rhymes for blue crab

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Browse Nearby Words

blue corn
blue crab
blue crane
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Cite this Entry

“Blue crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blue%20crab. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on blue crab

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blue crab

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