Sardine

/sɑːrˈdiːn/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A small, silvery pelagic fish of the herring family, often found in schools and used as food.

We had sardines for lunch, grilled with a little lemon.

A commercial fish of the family Clupeidae, typically found in the Mediterranean and the Pacific.

The sardine population in the ocean has been declining due to overfishing.

An oily fish that is usually canned in oil or water.

He opened a can of sardines to add to his salad.

Used informally to describe a cramped situation or crowd, as if packed like sardines.

The subway was so crowded that we were packed in there like sardines.

Middle French 'sardine', from Latin 'sardina', possibly from the island of Sardinia.

packed like sardines

Describes a situation where people or things are very tightly packed together.

pilchard

A large sardine, often considered a distinct species in some areas.

fish

Aquatic animals that are often used as food.

A reference to being cramped or uncomfortable due to lack of space.

That subway car was so full, we were all sardines!

To be in a situation where there is not enough room for comfort.

The kids in the backseat were sardines on the long road trip.