submarine

[suhb-muh-reen, suhb-muh-reen, suhb-muh-reen]

noun

1. a vessel that can be submerged and navigated under water, usually built for warfare and armed with torpedoes or guided missiles.

2. something situated or living under the surface of the sea, as a plant or animal.

3. Chiefly Northeastern and North Midland U.S.,  a hero sandwich.

adjective

1. situated, occurring, operating, or living under the surface of the sea.

   a submarine mountain.

2. of, relating to, or carried on by a submarine or submarines.

   submarine warfare.

verb (used without object)

submarined, submarining 

1. to participate in the operating of a submarine.

2. to move or slide under something.

3. Slang.

   1. to be thrown under the steering wheel of the vehicle one is driving during a frontal crash.

   2. to be thrown out of one's seat belt in such a crash.

verb (used with object)

submarined, submarining 

1. to attack or sink by submarine.

submarine

/ ˈsʌbməˌriːn, ˌsʌbməˈriːn /

noun

1. Often shortened to: sub. a vessel, esp one designed for warfare, capable of operating for protracted periods below the surface of the sea

2. (modifier)

   1. of or relating to a submarine

      a submarine captain

   2. occurring or situated below the surface of the sea

      a submarine cable

Other Word Forms

• antisubmarine adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of submarine¹

1640–50; 1895–1900 submarine for def. 1; sub- + marine

Example Sentences

Outer coast transients, numbering about 210 animals, were most often found within 20 kilometers of the continental shelf break, particularly near submarine canyons.

Read more on Science Daily

These systems are already used as GPS backups and on submarines, which can’t access GPS when underwater.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One resident noted that Northrop Grumman had recently unveiled an unmanned submarine.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There’s a submarine landscape of bubbles and jellyfish; a radiant garden of flowers; a battle with flying swords and shields and a swirling snake puppet.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It can operate remotely-piloted miniature submarines that can dive down to sea beds many thousands of metres below the surface.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• sub 
• torpedo