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

Choosing sardines with their bones provides extra calcium, an important nutrient for bone and heart health. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 15 Jan. 2026

Fatty Fish Inflammation is no match against fatty fish, from briny sardines to buttery salmon. —Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 13 Jan. 2026

There are one million tins of sardines in the cupboard. —Alice Burton, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026

The original builder didn’t install any overhead lights during the transformation of an 1880’s sardine factory into eight residential condos. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sardine

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• amine
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between

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