tidal wave

noun

1

a

: an unusually high sea wave that is triggered especially by an earthquake

b

: an unusual rise of water alongshore due to strong winds

2

: something overwhelming especially in quantity or volume

a tidal wave of tourists

Examples of tidal wave in a Sentence

a tidal wave of emotion

Recent Examples on the Web

Though Flock has its cameras in over 5,000 US cities as of July 2026, the rise in rejections at the municipal level comes amidst a tidal wave of outrage around issues of privacy and civil rights. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026

But if Cal wants to survive the next realignment tidal wave, that apathy has to end today. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026

Chief on consumers' minds is cyclosporiasis, an unpleasant intestinal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, which has recently dominated headlines amid a tidal wave of cases. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 28 July 2026

Monsanto has faced a tidal wave of litigation in recent years over its Roundup product. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for tidal wave

• aftershave
• architrave
• autoclave
• microwave
• misbehave
• agave
• behave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• engrave
• enslave

Kids Definition

tidal wave

noun

1

: an unusually high sea wave that is triggered especially by an earthquake

2

: an unusual rise of water alongshore due to strong winds