1
: something that functions or operates underwater
specifically
: a naval vessel designed to operate underwater
2
: a large sandwich on a long split roll with any of a variety of fillings (such as meatballs or cold cuts, cheese, lettuce, and tomato)
called also grinder, hero, hoagie, Italian sandwich, po'boy, sub, torpedo
submarined; submarining
: to attack by or as if by a submarine : attack from beneath
: to dive or slide under something
Examples of submarine in a Sentence
Adjective
the submarine fossils that are to be found in coral reefs
Noun
always orders a roast beef submarine with the works
Recent Examples on the Web
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Deep Blue Sea—Learn about our oceans while on submarine Sea Lab Alpha with underwater explorers Marina and Reef.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 6 Dec. 2024
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
What To Know China has the largest navy in the world by hull count, with over 370 ships and submarines, including three aircraft carriers.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Nichushkin submarined the past two playoff runs, sent home during a first-round exit to Seattle in 2023 and banned hours before the puck dropped in Game 4 of the club’s second-round series against Dallas, leading to another premature elimination.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for submarine
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
It is expected the Chinese submarine force to grow to 65 boats by 2025 and 80 by 2035 because of an expansion of submarine construction capacity.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Deep Blue Sea—Learn about our oceans while on submarine Sea Lab Alpha with underwater explorers Marina and Reef.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
The coyote was released later in Barrington Hills on 9 acres of private property, where rabbits and mice — not submarine sandwiches and chips — would be his daily fare.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
What To Know China has the largest navy in the world by hull count, with over 370 ships and submarines, including three aircraft carriers.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Injuries have submarined the Sixers, who sit 11th in the Eastern Conference at 15-26.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Nichushkin submarined the past two playoff runs, sent home during a first-round exit to Seattle in 2023 and banned hours before the puck dropped in Game 4 of the club’s second-round series against Dallas, leading to another premature elimination.
—Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for submarine
Cite this Entry
“Submarine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submarine. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
submarine
1 of 2 adjective
sub·ma·rine
ˈsəb-mə-ˌrēn 
ˌsəb-mə-ˈrēn
submarine
2 of 2 noun1
: a naval vessel designed to operate underwater
2
: a large sandwich on a long split roll
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share