tsunami

noun

tsu·​na·​mi (t)su̇-ˈnä-mē 

plural tsunamis also tsunami

: a great sea wave produced especially by submarine earth movement or volcanic eruption : tidal wave

tsunamic

(t)su̇-ˈnä-mik 

adjective

Examples of tsunami in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The massive construction would also ensure that the Great Nicobarese—the other indigenous people—who were displaced from their homes on the western coast of the island by the tsunami in 2004, would be forced to abandon their dream of returning to their villages. —M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025

There was no tsunami threat reported. —Shane Croucher john Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025

The Cowboys and Eagles kicked things off last night and on Sunday, there is the usual tsunami of games. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025

However, based on the volcano's eruption patterns, the upcoming eruption is very unlikely to impact humans or property or cause tsunami waves. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, from tsu harbor + nami wave

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tsunami

• salami
• tatami
• thalami
• balmy
• brahmi
• commie
• mommy
• palmy
• rami
• saami
• swami
• swamy

Kids Definition

tsunami

noun

tsu·​na·​mi (t)su̇-ˈnäm-ē 

: a great sea wave produced especially by an earthquake or volcanic eruption under the sea : tidal wave

Etymology

Japanese, from tsu "harbor" + nami "wave"