Prawn

Prawn is a common name for small aquatic crustaceans, often specifically larger shrimp, with an exoskeleton and ten legs (members of the order of decapods). Some prawns are edible for human consumption. The term prawn is used particularly in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Commonwealth nations, and the northeastern United States for large swimming crustaceans or shrimp, especially those with commercial significance in the fishing industry. Shrimp in this category often belong to the suborder Dendrobranchiata, but also sometimes to Caridea within the suborder Pleocyemata. In the rest of North America, the term is used less frequently, typically for large or freshwater shrimp. The terms shrimp and prawn themselves lack scientific definition. Over the years, the way they are used has changed, and in contemporary usage, the terms are almost interchangeable.