submarine

1 of 3

adjective

sub·​ma·​rine ˈsəb-mə-ˌrēn How to pronounce submarine (audio)
ˌsəb-mə-ˈrēn
: underwater
especially : undersea
submarine plants
submarine minerals

submarine

2 of 3

noun

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

submarine

3 of 3

verb

submarined; submarining

transitive verb

: to attack by or as if by a submarine : attack from beneath

intransitive verb

: 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
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
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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1648, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1905, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of submarine was in 1648

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Submarine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submarine. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

submarine

1 of 2 adjective
sub·​ma·​rine ˈsəb-mə-ˌrēn How to pronounce submarine (audio)
ˌsəb-mə-ˈrēn
: underwater
especially : undersea
submarine plants

submarine

2 of 2 noun
1
: a naval vessel designed to operate underwater
2
: a large sandwich on a long split roll

More from Merriam-Webster on submarine

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