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

All meats are dry-aged on site, but pay attention to the less flashy dishes like the palace potatoes (shockingly crispy potatoe pavé) and the Sicilian Crudo, a trio of tuna, king fish, and king salmon in a pool of herbs. —Kate Dingwall, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Sashimi appetizers include hamachi jalapeno with ponzu and chimichurri; salmon carpaccio with passion fruit shiso and cripsy onion; and tuna carpaccio with garlic oil and wasabi. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025

Canned tuna has never been my thing, nor have tinned sardines or even most anchovies. —Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025

If such an injection choice is not an option, many medications including antibiotics can be compounded into oral agents that taste good such as tuna or chicken and that cats will more readily take. —Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 7 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