1. Small freshwater decapod crustacean that resembles a lobster; SYN. crawfish, crawdad, crawdaddy.
2. Tiny lobster-like crustaceans usually boiled briefly; SYN. crawfish, crawdad, ecrevisse.
Freshwater decapod (ten-limbed) crustacean belonging to several families structurally similar to, but smaller than, the lobster. Crayfish are brownish-green scavengers and are found in all parts of the world except Africa. They are edible, and some species are farmed.
The spiny lobster Palinurus vulgaris, is sometimes called crayfish; it is actually a marine lobster without pincers, and grows up to 50 cm/20 in long.