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.
Much as hermit crabs borrow shells, fancy case caterpillars craft elaborate homes with sand, bits of plant material and lichen. Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025 The dung heap is being dismantled by a scrum of hermit crabs. Kevin Gepford, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025 This hermit crab had to leave its shell and become vulnerable to find a new version of itself. Simon Thompson, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Apartment-hunting website Apartments.com said hermit crabs, snakes, rodents, fish and cats adapt well to apartment life. Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 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 29 Apr. 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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