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

The actress, who rode a tidal wave of success in the late '90s, is cloaked in the kind of swagger that only lasting stardom can give. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026

So when there's a ripple outside in the society, there's a tidal wave inside. —CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

For some reason, this WBC has become a tidal wave of emotion for a lot of guys. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026

The tidal wave of undocumented people booked into the Orange County Jail without criminal charges has dropped dramatically following a letter from Mayor Jerry Demings to ICE officials setting new rules for the feds. —Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 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