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

Optimal ingredients include nuts and avocados, which are rich in heart-protective poly- and monounsaturated fats; dairy products like eggs and cheese; and sources of complete protein such as tuna, chicken, and turkey. —Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 22 Oct. 2024

While this sounds like common sense, pantry shelves can hide things like a can of tuna that expired back in the Bush presidency or a box of crackers that were used to ring in New Year back in 2020. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2024

Free drinks, and the free appetizers are outstanding: sliders, jumbo shrimp cocktail, crab puffs, tuna tartare on tiny little tortillas. —R29 Team, refinery29.com, 11 Oct. 2024

And that was okay until the day the tray included a blob of tuna fish. —Gwen Rockwood The Rockwood Files, arkansasonline.com, 10 Oct. 2024

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

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