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

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

Fatty Fish Fatty fish, including salmon, mackerel, trout, and sardines, are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are anti-inflammatory and protect cells. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 25 Nov. 2025

Or a spinny orange swirl of spaghetti pomodoro atop Porta’s Tommaso platter, which features sardines in a cerulean sunburst ($198)? —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 16 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