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
Try adding sardines to dishes like salads and pasta for a nutritional boost.
—
Jillian Kubala, Health, 8 July 2025
Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines, and plants including walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds are all rich sources of omega-3s.
—Maria Godoy, NPR, 7 July 2025
On Terminal Island, more than 3,000 first- and second-generation immigrant fishermen from Japan, the issei and nisei, pioneered innovative techniques, like 6-foot bamboo poles and live bait, to catch albacore tuna and sardines.
—Claire Wang, NBC news, 31 May 2025
The growth of both affordable and artisanal cans of sardines and mussels could just show Americans are diversifying their preferences for healthy sources of proteins.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sardine
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Jillian Kubala, Health, 8 July 2025
Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines, and plants including walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds are all rich sources of omega-3s.
—Maria Godoy, NPR, 7 July 2025
On Terminal Island, more than 3,000 first- and second-generation immigrant fishermen from Japan, the issei and nisei, pioneered innovative techniques, like 6-foot bamboo poles and live bait, to catch albacore tuna and sardines.
—Claire Wang, NBC news, 31 May 2025
The growth of both affordable and artisanal cans of sardines and mussels could just show Americans are diversifying their preferences for healthy sources of proteins.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sardine
Cite this Entry
“Sardine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sardine. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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