1. Small freshwater decapod crustacean that resembles a lobster
   "crayfish are often caught for food in the southern United States";
   - crawfish [N. Amer], crawdad [N. Amer], crawdaddy [N. Amer]
    
2. Large edible marine crustacean having a spiny carapace but lacking the large pincers of true lobsters
   "The sea crawfish, also known as crayfish, was a popular dish in coastal restaurants";
   - spiny lobster, langouste, rock lobster, crawfish [N. Amer], sea crawfish [N. Amer]
    
3. Tiny lobster-like crustaceans usually boiled briefly
   "The Cajun restaurant served a spicy crayfish étouffée";
   - crawfish [N. Amer], crawdad [N. Amer], ecrevisse
    
4. Warm-water lobsters without claws; those from Australia and South Africa usually marketed as frozen tails; caught also in Florida and California
   "The beach restaurant served grilled crayfish with garlic butter";
   - spiny lobster, langouste, rock lobster

Derived forms: crayfishes, crayfish

Type of: decapod, decapod crustacean, lobster, shellfish

Part of: American crayfish, Astacidae, Astacura, ecrevisse, family Astacidae, genus Palinurus, Old World crayfish, Palinurus

Encyclopedia: Crayfish