tuna

1 of 2

noun (1)

tu·​na ˈtü-nə How to pronounce tuna (audio)
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 How to pronounce tuna (audio)
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
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Noun
Canned tuna can be enjoyed on its own as a snack or added to meals like salads and grain bowls to boost its protein content. Jillian Kubala, Health, 10 June 2025 Their list of requests includes canned tuna and meat, fruit, vegetables, spaghetti and sauces, beans, soup, peanut butter, rice, cereal, snack bars, pasta and instant noodles. Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 9 June 2025 The tuna and oranges scene, which is famously our introduction to Rita’s sarcasm and her ability to eviscerate someone and be funny about it. Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2025 On Terminal Island, more than 3,000 first- and second-generation immigrant fishermen from Japan, the issei and nisei, pioneered innovative techniques, like 6-foot bamboo poles and live bait, to catch albacore tuna and sardines. Claire Wang, NBC news, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for tuna

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tuna was circa 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tuna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tuna. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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

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