submarine
Americannoun
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submarines
plural
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a vessel that can be submerged and navigated under water, usually built for warfare and armed with torpedoes or guided missiles.
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something situated or living under the surface of the sea, as a plant or animal.
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Chiefly Northeastern and North Midland U.S. a hero sandwich.
adjective
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situated, occurring, operating, or living under the surface of the sea.
a submarine mountain.
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of, relating to, or carried on by a submarine or submarines.
submarine warfare.
verb (used without object)
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to participate in the operating of a submarine.
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to move or slide under something.
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Slang.
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to be thrown under the steering wheel of the vehicle one is driving during a frontal crash.
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to be thrown out of one's seat belt in such a crash.
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verb (used with object)
noun
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Often shortened to: sub. a vessel, esp one designed for warfare, capable of operating for protracted periods below the surface of the sea
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(modifier)
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of or relating to a submarine
a submarine captain
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occurring or situated below the surface of the sea
a submarine cable
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Regional Use
See hero sandwich.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of submarine
1640–50; 1895–1900 submarine for def. 1; sub- + marine
Explanation
If you're in the Navy, a submarine is a military ship that goes under the water. If you're hungry, it's a type of sandwich. This word mainly refers to a vessel that travels underwater and is armed with torpedoes — also known as a U-boat. But you can submarine someone by attacking them with a submarine or bringing them down with a blow to the legs. A disappointment can submarine — or sink — your hopes and dreams. In the kitchen, a submarine is what you call a long, crusty sandwich filled with meats and cheese — also known as a sub, grinder, hero, or hoagie.
Vocabulary lists containing submarine
Power Prefix: sub-
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World War I
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"Hitching a Ride"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Depending on the model, a sea drone can cost anywhere from thousands to millions of US dollars, and take weeks or months to build -- still much cheaper and faster than a warship or submarine.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
In June this year, something even more unexpected popped up at one of the two Changxing yards: a new class of submarine, likely nuclear-powered.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
Earlier this year, the MoD said Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic is now back to the same levels as the Cold War era.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
The Ghost Shark can travel long distances and would work in tandem with the crewed submarine fleet, officials said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026
The only thing he did reveal was that he had traveled across the Atlantic in a submarine.
From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple
By 2040, U.S. officials expect Chinese submarines will routinely operate in the Indian Ocean, Arctic approaches and possibly the Atlantic.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
On the defence budget, the government wants to see an increase of around eight percent from this year to 73.3 trillion won, aiming to secure nuclear-powered submarines and KF-21 fighter jets.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
In the new report, MPs highlighted a "shockingly low availability" of submarines and said there was a temporary loss in ability to operate them beneath Arctic ice.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
China is focused on developing undersea sensors, weapons and autonomous vehicles to counter US submarines, the US Navy's intelligence director told a US government committee in May.
From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026
Germany retaliated by sending its fleet of submarines into action.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
The historical odds will be against the Nets, who have been submarined by Durant’s January knee sprain, Harden’s February departure and Irving’s part-time availability because of his unvaccinated status.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 28, 2022
Theoretically, those Sunday figures could be submarined by a handful of meaningless rounds where Finau was never in the tournament mix.
From Golf Digest ● Feb. 3, 2020
Watt submarined under Havenstein and sacked Goff for an eight-yard loss on a second-and-nine play late in the second quarter.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2019
A seven-run second inning submarined the Mariners’ victory hopes early in what ended up being a 13-3 rout.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 2, 2019
"But if we were submarined," the captain pointed out, "the papers would go to the bottom."
From The Box with Broken Seals by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim
The Cyclones shot 32% in the second half, submarining their own cause further by turning the ball over 18 times.
From Fox News ● Mar. 26, 2022
Quisenberry, a submarining closer with a world-class wit, won five Rolaids Relief Man awards for the Royals in the 1980s.
From New York Times ● Feb. 24, 2022
Chicago had the bases loaded with one out when submarining right-hander Tyler Rogers caught Willson Contreras looking at an 84 mph fastball on a 3-2 count.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 12, 2021
Wall’s health problems sabotaged the 2017-18 season, they are submarining the ongoing 2018-19 season, and now they threaten the 2019-20 campaign 10 months before it will officially begin.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 5, 2019
But instead I am this sphere of darkness submarining through the halls.
From "Every Day" by David Levithan
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