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
Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025
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
Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 24 May 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits a nuclear submarine base March 26, 2025, in Murmansk, Russia.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 23 May 2025
Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Injuries have submarined the Sixers, who sit 11th in the Eastern Conference at 15-26.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for submarine
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Adjective
Courtney has been pushing the Navy to adopt measures to expand what has become known as the submarine industrial base.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
The submersible, like a submarine, is meant to take people under water, but is smaller and less self-sufficient than military-grade submarines.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 24 May 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits a nuclear submarine base March 26, 2025, in Murmansk, Russia.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 23 May 2025
Verb
Even if the Bucks convince him to stay in Milwaukee, Lillard's injury submarined their title chances next season.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Injuries have submarined the Sixers, who sit 11th in the Eastern Conference at 15-26.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for submarine
Cite this Entry
“Submarine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submarine. Accessed 29 May. 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
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