sardine

noun

sar·​dine sär-ˈdēn 

plural sardines also sardine

1

: any of several small or immature fishes of the herring family

especially : the European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) especially when young and of a size suitable for preserving for food

2

: any of various small fishes (such as an anchovy) resembling the true sardines or similarly preserved for food

Examples of sardine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The aesthetic brings a playful take on coastal style and turns it on its head with funky decor finds that range from tiny touches the size of a tin of sardines to large-scale art or wallpaper featuring fish. —Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024

The look featured a shearling patchwork coat from the label's winter 2024 collection, teamed with $2,550 leather boxer briefs, a cotton rib jersey tank and the brand's coveted, $5,200 medium sardine bag. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 4 Oct. 2024

Out of almost 800 species once found only in the Mediterranean, just 86 survived, including some sardines and sirenians—marine mammals related to manatees. —science.org, 25 Sep. 2024

The ground was littered with sardines, presumably dropped by birds. —Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sardeine, from Anglo-French, from Latin sardina

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sardine

noun

sar·​dine sär-ˈdēn 

plural sardines also sardine

: any of various young or very small fish often preserved in oil for food