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

All of that will also get worse as the trickle of AI attacks becomes a tidal wave. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

From triggering tidal waves to granting us a lunar cycle, chaotic impacts have shaped our world and will continue to do so for billions of years. —Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2025

The industry was forced to grapple with a tidal wave of bankruptcies. —Natasha Turak, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2025

Chelsea Handler: The Feeling Following the success of her Critics Choice Awards hosting gig, Chelsea Handler is riding the tidal wave with a stand-up special that released on March 25 on Netflix. —Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025

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