tuna

¹

[ too-nuh, tyoo- ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) tu·na, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) tu·nas.

1. any of several large food and game fishes of the family Scombridae, inhabiting temperate and tropical seas. Compare albacore, bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna.
2. any of various related fishes.
3. Also called tuna fish. the flesh of the tuna, used as food.

tuna

²

[ too-nuh, tyoo- ]

noun

1. any of various prickly pears, prickly pears, especially either of two erect, treelike species, Opuntia tuna or O. ficus-indica, of Mexico, bearing a sweet, edible fruit.
2. the fruit of these plants.

tuna

¹

/ ˈtjuːnə /

noun

1. Also calledtunny any of various large marine spiny-finned fishes of the genus Thunnus , esp T. thynnus , chiefly of warm waters: family Scombridae . They have a spindle-shaped body and widely forked tail, and are important food fishes
2. any of various similar and related fishes

tuna

²

/ ˈtjuːnə /

noun

1. any of various tropical American prickly pear cacti, esp Opuntia tuna , that are cultivated for their sweet edible fruits
2. the fruit of any of these cacti

Word History and Origins

Origin of tuna¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1880–85; from Spanish (California), variant of Spanish atún, from Arabic al “the” + tūn, from Greek thýnnos tunny

Origin of tuna²

First recorded in 1545–55; from Spanish, from Taíno

Word History and Origins

Origin of tuna¹

C20: from American Spanish, from Spanish atún , from Arabic tūn , from Latin thunnus tunny, from Greek

Origin of tuna²

C16: via Spanish from Taino

Example Sentences

For instance, one student purchased "white tuna" at an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet that turned out to be escolar.

From Salon

Shelf-stable proteins can include canned meats like chicken or tuna, as well as beans, lentils, nuts and nut butters.

From Salon

His government had to deal with the fallout of the "tuna bond" corruption scandal - which triggered the country's worst economic crisis.

From BBC

The couple spent days searching the forest, calling out for him, trying to entice him with tuna and toys well into the night.

From Los Angeles Times

Her fans often make videos of themselves trying her favorite dishes, such as the tuna salad at the Carla Cafe.

From Los Angeles Times