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

“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.

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

Most drugs entering the U.S. homeland from South America arrive in shipping containers, submarines and more efficient modes of transportation than speedboats — and primarily come through the Pacific, not the Caribbean, Britto said.

From Los Angeles Times

Babcock at Rosyth is also running a trial project, begun earlier this year, to dismantle 23 retired submarines which were powered by nuclear reactors.

From BBC

Beijing may have more ships, but it only has two operational aircraft carriers, and its navy has far fewer submarines than the US.

From BBC

Related Words

• sub 
• torpedo