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

Fatty Fish Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, are among the richest natural sources of vitamin D3, the form most easily used by the body, Morgan Walker, MS, RD, LDN, a sports nutritionist and adjunct professor at Lebanon Valley College, told Health. —Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 11 Dec. 2025

All of that brings us back to the anchovy, along with fish such as the sardine and mackerel. —New Atlas, 5 Dec. 2025

The richest sources are mackerel, salmon, sardines, herring and anchovies—cold-water species naturally high in EPA and DHA. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025

Add Canned Sardines to Snacks Canned sardines are one of the most nutrient-dense, omega-3-rich foods available. —Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 27 Nov. 2025

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