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

Clams, crabs, and sardines all contain 2.5 mg of iron for every 3 oz. servings. —Audrey Noble, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2025

Canned sardines Sardines are one of the most sustainable fishes. —Michiko Tomioka, Contributor, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2025

Fatty Fish Fatty fish, including salmon, mackerel, and sardines, are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids. —Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 22 Jan. 2025

Sitting at the bar for an omakase, there was a parade of excellent dishes from Japanese sardine nigiri with kombu, ginger, and green onion to a green-tea kakigori made with ice imported from Kanazawa, Japan. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 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