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

Practically, this means dishes like tuna crudo with sweet drop peppers, cucumbers, and caper aioli; grilled octopus with butter bean puree; and tagliatelle with conch and stone crab with tomatoes, shallot, and a broth made with Kalik, a local beer. —Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2025

Wave 2 offers spicy tuna maki (2pcs), octopus skewers, and Nami Nuggets. —Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025

One of the most decadent, premium details among the sushi is the three grades of Bluefin tuna, including dark Maguro, medium-fatty Chutoro, and the lightest-toned, fattiest: Otoro, a butter-of-the-ocean that is slippery and divine. —Morgan Tilton, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025

Farther out in the Gulf waters, offshore trophies such as tuna, kingfish, red snapper, and others prove bountiful game. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 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

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