1
: something that functions or operates underwater
specifically
: a naval vessel designed to operate underwater
2
: a large sandwich on a long split roll with any of a variety of fillings (such as meatballs or cold cuts, cheese, lettuce, and tomato)
called also grinder, hero, hoagie, Italian sandwich, po'boy, sub, torpedo
submarined; submarining
: to attack by or as if by a submarine : attack from beneath
: to dive or slide under something
Synonyms
Examples of submarine in a Sentence
Adjective
the submarine fossils that are to be found in coral reefs
Noun
always orders a roast beef submarine with the works
Recent Examples on the Web
Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2023
The country has also done some research into developing submarine nuclear reactors, which typically (with some exceptions) use weapons-grade uranium for fuel that could serve as a stepping stone to nuclear weaponry.
—Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 11 May 2023
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 May 2024
The sub was discovered using data collected by Tim Taylor, CEO of the Lost 52 Project, which works to locate the 52 submarines sunk during World War II.
—Stephen Smith, CBS News, 24 May 2024
David Pierce, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2023
The dummy still submarined under the rear lap belt and its head got close to the front seatback.
—Andrew Beckford, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for submarine 
Adjective
This eruption even gave its name to the style of shallow, submarine basaltic eruptions: Surtseyan.
—Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2023
The country has also done some research into developing submarine nuclear reactors, which typically (with some exceptions) use weapons-grade uranium for fuel that could serve as a stepping stone to nuclear weaponry.
—Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 11 May 2023
Noun
The submarine had fired three torpedoes at a Japanese escort ship named CD-22.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 May 2024
The sub was discovered using data collected by Tim Taylor, CEO of the Lost 52 Project, which works to locate the 52 submarines sunk during World War II.
—Stephen Smith, CBS News, 24 May 2024
Verb
Google could use its ultra-popular apps like Gmail, Maps, and YouTube to promote Chrome and the Google app, diverting people away from Safari and potentially submarining the value of Apple’s deal with any other search engine.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2023
The dummy still submarined under the rear lap belt and its head got close to the front seatback.
—Andrew Beckford, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for submarine
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'submarine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Submarine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submarine. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
submarine
1 of 2 adjective
sub·ma·rine
ˈsəb-mə-ˌrēn 
ˌsəb-mə-ˈrēn
submarine
2 of 2 noun1
: a naval vessel designed to operate underwater
2
: a large sandwich on a long split roll
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