I. sub ‧ ma ‧ rine 1 /ˈsʌbməriːn, ˌsʌbməˈriːn/ BrE AmE ( also sub ) noun [countable]
a ship, especially a military one, that can stay under water:
a nuclear submarine
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THESAURUS
■ military ships
▪ warship a military ship with guns, used in a war
▪ battleship the largest type of ship used in war, with very big guns on it
▪ aircraft carrier a military ship that planes can fly from or land on
▪ destroyer a small fast military ship with guns, often used for protecting battleships
▪ gunboat a small fast ship with guns on it, often used in shallow water near a coast
▪ submarine a military ship that can stay under water:
a nuclear submarine
▪ minesweeper a military ship used for removing bombs from under water
II. submarine 2 BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Origin: sub- + marine ]
growing or used under the sea:
submarine plant life