Definition of SHRIMP

: any of numerous mostly small and marine decapod crustaceans (suborders Dendrobranchiata and Pleocyemata) having a slender elongated body, a compressed abdomen, and a long spiny rostrum and including some (especially family Penaeidae) that are commercially important as food

also : a small crustacean (such as an amphipod or a branchiopod) resembling the true shrimp

usually disparaging : a very small or puny person or thing

Noun

He's a little shrimp of a boy. the boy was just a shrimp until his teens, when he had a growth spurt

Recent Examples on the Web

Pour the sauce over and gently toss with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the shrimp and avocado are thoroughly coated. —Janelle Davis, CNN, 7 Feb. 2023 Brine shrimp are a critical food source for the aquaculture industry. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 21 Jan. 2023 Brine shrimp are part of the foundation of the Great Salt Lake's food web. —Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2022 The Mexican brunch restaurant is known for its breakfast stuffed poblano pepper, which is made with shrimp and melted cheese. —Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 28 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for shrimp 

Etymology

Noun

Middle English shrimpe; akin to Middle Low German schrempen to contract, wrinkle, Old Norse skorpna to shrivel up

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1808, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of shrimp was in the 14th century