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
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
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Noun
Its menu leans toward seafood, including superb tuna from the icy waters off nearby Cádiz. Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026 Among the richest sources are fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and tuna, as well as marine algae and seafood such as oysters. Md Published, Verywell Health, 29 June 2026 For lunch, eat a low-carbohydrate meal, such as half a bowl of mixed grains, tofu, fish, raw fish, seafood, tuna, chicken (without the skin), eggs, mushrooms, and seaweed. Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 29 June 2026 Dinner, served Thursday through Monday, might include burrata with nettles or albacore tuna with celtuce and blood orange. Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tuna

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tuna was circa 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tuna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tuna. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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

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