tsunami

noun

tsu·​na·​mi (t)su̇-ˈnä-mē How to pronounce tsunami (audio)
plural tsunamis also tsunami
: a great sea wave produced especially by submarine earth movement or volcanic eruption : tidal wave
tsunamic adjective

Examples of tsunami in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Historical evidence suggests that a powerful earthquake and tsunami struck Alexandria centuries ago, causing much of the land to sink into the Mediterranean. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025 There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage on Tuesday, and no tsunami warning. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 Regional tsunami warnings have since been cancelled, according to Reuters, but the pair of quakes left behind damage to buildings and roads. Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025 The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an update around noon local time, saying the tsunami threat in the Philippines had passed, having earlier said waves 3 to 9 feet high were possible, though warnings from other agencies remained in place. Mikhail Flores, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tsunami

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, from tsu harbor + nami wave

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tsunami was in 1896

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tsunami.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tsunami. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

tsunami

noun
tsu·​na·​mi (t)su̇-ˈnäm-ē How to pronounce tsunami (audio)
: a great sea wave produced especially by an earthquake or volcanic eruption under the sea : tidal wave
Etymology

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

More from Merriam-Webster on tsunami

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