tuna

1 of 2

noun (1)

tu·​na ˈtü-nə 

ˈtyü-

plural tuna or tunas

1

: any of various large vigorous scombroid fishes (as of the genera Euthynnus, Katsuwonus, and especially Thunnus) that are usually dark above and silvery below and include many that are valued as food or sport fishes see albacore, bigeye tuna, bluefin tuna, dogtooth tuna, little tunny, skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna

2

: the flesh of a tuna used for food

grilled tuna

specifically, sometimes tuna fish : tuna flesh that has been cooked and canned

—often used before another noun

tuna salad

a tuna fish sandwich

tuna

2 of 2

noun (2)

tu·​na ˈtü-nə 

1

: any of various flat-jointed prickly pears (genus Opuntia)

especially : one (O. tuna) of tropical America

2

: the edible fruit of a tuna

Examples of tuna in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Try to avoid easily perishable foods and anything overly pungent (like tuna or overripe bananas). —Jessie Beck, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025

Immediately legible to the tongue as raw, lean tuna. —The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025

Lakes are home to freshwater fish like trout and bass while oceans offer deep sea fishing to catch things like tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi. —Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Mayonnaise helps to hold the tuna together and toasted sesame oil lends incomparable nuttiness. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

American Spanish, alteration of Spanish atún, modification of Arabic tūn, from Latin thunnus, from Greek thynnos

Noun (2)

Spanish, from Taino

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tuna

• bigeye tuna
• bluefin tuna
• dogtooth tuna
• little tuna
• skipjack tuna
• tuna mayonnaise
• yellowfin tuna

Rhymes for tuna

• kuna
• luna
• calluna
• lacuna
• laguna
• tribuna
• varuna
• vicuna

Kids Definition

tuna

noun

tu·​na

ˈt(y)ü-nə

plural tuna or tunas

1

: any of several mostly large sea fishes (as an albacore or bonito) related to the mackerels and caught for food and sport

2

: the flesh of a tuna especially when canned for use as food

called also tuna fish