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
Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2025
Despite the ongoing retirement of older hulls, the PLAN's submarine force is expected to grow to 65 units by 2025 and 80 units by 2035 due to an expansion of submarine construction capacity.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
Ashley Craig, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2025
Trump's nuclear submarine chess move should send chills down Putin's spine – and yours.
—FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 24 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for submarine
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Adjective
Last December, lawmakers passed a short-term funding bill that included $5.7 billion in emergency funding for the submarine industrial base.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2025
Despite the ongoing retirement of older hulls, the PLAN's submarine force is expected to grow to 65 units by 2025 and 80 units by 2035 due to an expansion of submarine construction capacity.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
Noun
Today, Akehurst serves as a culinary specialist (submarines) aboard USS Hyman G. Rickover, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.
—Ashley Craig, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2025
Trump's nuclear submarine chess move should send chills down Putin's spine – and yours.
—FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
Were there potential hits on Journals that were submarined by a lack of promotion?
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 24 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for submarine
Cite this Entry
“Submarine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submarine. Accessed 20 Aug. 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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