subbed; subbing
: to act as a substitute
1
subaltern
2
subscription
3
subsidiary
4
suburb
1
: under : beneath : below
subsoil
subaqueous
2
a
: subordinate : secondary : next lower than or inferior to
substation
subeditor
b
: subordinate portion of : subdivision of
subcommittee
subspecies
c
: with repetition (as of a process) so as to form, stress, or deal with subordinate parts or relations
sublet
subcontract
3
: less than completely, perfectly, or normally : somewhat
subacute
subclinical
4
a
: almost : nearly
suberect
b
: falling nearly in the category of and often adjoining : bordering on
subarctic
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- backup
- cover
- designated hitter
- fill-in
- locum tenens
- pinch hitter
- relief
- replacement
- reserve
- stand-in
- substitute
Verb
Noun (2)
Examples of sub in a Sentence
Noun (1)
we had a sub in English today, so we didn't get our test results back
Verb
Smith subbed for Jones at halftime.
subbing in a Broadway play
Smith subbed Jones at halftime.
Noun (2)
we shared a tuna sub at lunch
Recent Examples on the Web
Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 15 July 2024
Having opened in January, the upscale deli has impressed patrons with its savory subs, coffee bar and homey feel, a turn-on for a fast-food joint these days.
—Allana Haynes, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2024
Cindy
boren, Washington Post, 14 July 2024
Crawford went 0-for-1 and reached base on a walk but was picked off second base by Randy Rodríguez before being subbed out for a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for sub 
Noun
The menu also includes gluten-free and crustless options, along with sub sandwiches, pasta dishes, salads, and wings.
—Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 15 July 2024
Having opened in January, the upscale deli has impressed patrons with its savory subs, coffee bar and homey feel, a turn-on for a fast-food joint these days.
—Allana Haynes, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2024
Verb
Nico Williams sends a shot wide of the goalpost and England fans are calling for Ollie Watkins, a semifinal hero, to be subbed in.
—Cindy
boren, Washington Post, 14 July 2024
Crawford went 0-for-1 and reached base on a walk but was picked off second base by Randy Rodríguez before being subbed out for a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for sub
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sub.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sub
Cite this Entry
“Sub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sub. Accessed 21 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sub
1 of 4 nounsub
2 of 4 verb
subbed; subbing
: to act as a substitute
sub
3 of 4 nounsub-
4 of 4 prefix1
: under : beneath : below
subsoil
subfreezing
2
a
: being at a lower rank or secondary level
substation
b
: division or lesser part of
subcommittee
subtopic
c
: involving a secondary stage or process
sublet
subcontract
3
: less than completely, perfectly, or typically : somewhat
subdominant
4
: bordering upon
subarctic
Etymology
Prefix
from Latin sub- "under, below"
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