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.
Under optimal circumstances, a one-kilogram adult can consume four medium-sized blue crabs a day, the experts behind the project say. — Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 25 Aug. 2026 Last year’s winner was the Crab and Mozzarella Arancini, which included Maryland blue crab meat, white rice with herbs and mozzarella coated in Italian breadcrumbs, served with marinara sauce. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2026 Go for dinner and indulge in dishes like blue crab pappardelle and braised short rib with Korean potato rösti and kimchee. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2026 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 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

See All Rhymes for blue crab

Browse Nearby Words

blue corn
blue crab
blue crane
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blue crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blue%20crab. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on blue crab

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blue crab

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