tidal

adjective

tid·​al ˈtī-dᵊl 

1

a

: of, relating to, caused by, or having tides

tidal cycles

tidal erosion

b

: periodically rising and falling or flowing and ebbing

tidal waters

2

: dependent (as to the time of arrival or departure) upon the state of the tide

a tidal steamer

tidally

ˈtī-dᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of tidal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The publication studies sunspot cycles, solar activity, tidal forces, the position of the planets and the reversal of winds in the stratosphere over the equator. —Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025

Though its depiction in the film includes hefty CGI, the island is a real place: Lindisfarne, otherwise known as Holy Island, a tidal island off the coast of northern England connected to the mainland by a causeway that appears only at low tide. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 3 July 2025

The Farmer's Almanac primarily uses a secretive formula that considers astronomical factors, like sunspot activity, moon phases, planetary positions and tidal forces, along with historical weather patterns. —Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Our own moon shows evidence of primeval tidal heating too. —Robin Andrews, Wired News, 15 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tidal

• tidal wave

Rhymes for tidal

• bridal
• bridle
• idle
• idol
• idyll
• seidel
• sidle
• widal
• apsidal
• subtidal
• fratricidal
• fungicidal

Kids Definition

tidal

adjective

tid·​al ˈtīd-ᵊl 

: of or relating to tides : rising and falling or flowing and ebbing at regular times

Medical Definition

tidal

adjective

tid·​al ˈtīd-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, or constituting tidal air

interference with the normal tidal exchange of the lungs

—F. R. Mautz & R. M. Hosler