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

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

They are specifically designed to detect and track enemy submarines and engage them in combat if necessary, with deliveries expected to begin in 2030.

From BBC

The buildup reportedly includes more than a half-dozen warships, including at least one submarine, and thousands of Marines and sailors.

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors in Washington, D.C., failed to persuade a grand jury to indict a man who threw a submarine sandwich at a federal agent earlier this month, sources told the New York Times.

From Salon

Related Words

• sub 
• torpedo