hermit crab

noun

: any of numerous chiefly marine small decapod crustaceans (especially families Diogenidae, Paguridae, and Parapaguridae) having soft asymmetrical abdomens and occupying the empty shells of gastropods

Illustration of hermit crab

Illustration of hermit crab

Examples of hermit 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.
The analysis revealed that the bolder hermit crabs have more sensilla located on the claw’s surface. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 July 2025 The nonprofit explains that hermit crabs are divided into two main categories—land and aquatic. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025 Land hermit crabs spend most of their lives on land and only rarely enter the water. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025 In the video, a hermit crab scuttles amongst numerous shells before choosing one to move into. Kelli Bender, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hermit crab

Word History

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hermit crab was in 1735

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Cite this Entry

“Hermit crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hermit%20crab. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

hermit crab

noun
: any of various small crabs that occupy empty mollusk shells

More from Merriam-Webster on hermit crab

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