sardine

noun

sar·​dine sär-ˈdēn 

plural sardines also sardine

1

: any of several small or immature fishes of the herring family

especially : the European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) especially when young and of a size suitable for preserving for food

2

: any of various small fishes (such as an anchovy) resembling the true sardines or similarly preserved for food

Examples of sardine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These days the sardines are fished out and there are one-third as many residents as in 1870, the end of the sailing age. —Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 5 May 2024

The dinner theme harkened back to a sardine motif used throughout Staud’s latest collection, with scallop crudo, clams, and woven boquerones as just a few offerings on the menu. —Jamila Stewart, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sardeine, from Anglo-French, from Latin sardina

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sardine

noun

sar·​dine sär-ˈdēn 

plural sardines also sardine

: any of various young or very small fish often preserved in oil for food