Search Dictionary
Definition of submarine

submarine

/ˌsʌb.məˈriːn/
sub · ma · rine

Plural:submarines
•
Adjective:submarine
•
Past Simple:submarined
•
Past Participle:submarined
•
Present Participle:submarining
JUMP TO:

submarine Lexical Profile

submarine Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A specialized watercraft capable of independent operation underwater, typically used for military, scientific, or exploratory purposes.

Example

"The navy deployed a nuclear submarine to patrol the international waters."


2

American A large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats, cheeses, and vegetables.

Example

"For lunch, we ordered a giant Italian submarine from the local deli."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for submarine

• verb

1

North American To pitch a baseball with a pronounced underhand motion so that the release point is near the ground.

Example

"The relief pitcher submarined the ball, completely baffling the batter."


2

To slide or slip underneath something, particularly describing a person sliding under a seatbelt during a vehicular collision.

Example

"The crash test dummy submarined under the lap belt upon impact, revealing a flaw in the seat design."

• Rhymes for submarine

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 17th century from the Latin prefix 'sub-' (under) and 'marinus' (of the sea). The noun use for the underwater vessel emerged in the late 19th century as a shortening of 'submarine boat'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Submarine. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/submarine
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Dictionary & Reference
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.