# seine

/ˈseɪn/ (US) · /sˈeɪn/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/seine
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a large fishing net that hangs vertically in the water. It has weights at the bottom and floats at the top to catch fish by pulling the ends together.

For teachers: a large fishing net that hangs vertically in the water with floats at the top and weights at the bottom, designed to encircle a school of fish.

## Examples

- The fishermen pulled the heavy seine onto the beach.
- Using a large seine, the crew managed to harvest an entire school of sardines in a single haul.
- Traditional coastal communities often rely on the communal effort required to operate a beach seine, as the weight of the water and the catch necessitates dozens of people pulling in unison.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a modifier in compound nouns like 'seine boat' or 'seine fishing'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.