1. The first pair of legs in crustaceans (such as crabs and lobsters) that are modified into pincers or claws used for grasping and manipulating food and objects.
Usage: plural form; singular is cheliped; zoology/biology term; also called chelae or claws

Examples

• The crab used its chelipeds to crack open the shell of a mussel.
• Lobsters have large chelipeds that they use to defend themselves and capture prey.
• The chelipeds of this species are notably larger in males than in females.
• Scientists examined the chelipeds under a microscope to identify the crustacean species.
• The hermit crab's chelipeds help it manipulate food as it eats.
• During molting, crustaceans may lose and regenerate their chelipeds.