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

The Pentagon is reviewing a defense pact with the U.K. and Australia, throwing into doubt a strategic partnership that aims to give Australia nuclear-powered submarines and deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Similarly, in the Pacific, interdiction by submarines and aerial mining of trade routes effectively depleted Japan’s fuel reserves by the war’s end.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Earthquakes trigger submarine landslides, and leave deposits called “turbidites” that are buried over time.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I call it the N-word,” the American head of state said in remarks to the nation’s admirals and generals, speaking about a decision to deploy nuclear-powered submarines off the coast of Russia.

Read more on Salon

She said it was her experience building a human-powered submarine as an undergraduate that got her thinking about a career in the oceans.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sub 
• torpedo