tuna

1 of 2

noun (1)

tu·​na ˈtü-nə 

ˈtyü-

plural tuna or tunas

1

: any of various large vigorous scombroid fishes (as of the genera Euthynnus, Katsuwonus, and especially Thunnus) that are usually dark above and silvery below and include many that are valued as food or sport fishes see albacore, bigeye tuna, bluefin tuna, dogtooth tuna, little tunny, skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna

2

: the flesh of a tuna used for food

grilled tuna

specifically, sometimes tuna fish : tuna flesh that has been cooked and canned

—often used before another noun

tuna salad

a tuna fish sandwich

tuna

2 of 2

noun (2)

tu·​na ˈtü-nə 

1

: any of various flat-jointed prickly pears (genus Opuntia)

especially : one (O. tuna) of tropical America

2

: the edible fruit of a tuna

Examples of tuna in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In mid-February, they were included in a seafood recall that pulled half-a-million cans of tuna from shelves. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2025

Canned tuna sold by Trader Joe’s, Costco and others has been recalled for botulism risk. —Martina Ibáñez-Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2025

Where was the Genova label tuna sold? Multiple cans of tuna with the Genova label are being recalled nationwide. —Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

Canned tuna sold at popular retailers like Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Walmart has been recalled by the manufacturer, Tri-Union Seafood, because of faulty easy-open lids. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

American Spanish, alteration of Spanish atún, modification of Arabic tūn, from Latin thunnus, from Greek thynnos

Noun (2)

Spanish, from Taino

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tuna

• bigeye tuna
• bluefin tuna
• dogtooth tuna
• little tuna
• skipjack tuna
• tuna mayonnaise
• yellowfin tuna

Rhymes for tuna

• kuna
• luna
• calluna
• lacuna
• laguna
• tribuna
• varuna
• vicuna

Kids Definition

tuna

noun

tu·​na

ˈt(y)ü-nə

plural tuna or tunas

1

: any of several mostly large sea fishes (as an albacore or bonito) related to the mackerels and caught for food and sport

2

: the flesh of a tuna especially when canned for use as food

called also tuna fish