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

Unfortunately for Portland, that was not enough to withstand the tidal-wave run the Spurs went on starting in the middle of the third quarter. —Christian Clark, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026

Much of the work focused on mitigating tidal and storm-related flooding, including improvements to the foundation and surrounding infrastructure. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026

Up to one half foot of saltwater inundation above ground level is possible near shorelines and tidal waterways. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 Apr. 2026

This tidal locking, simply put by the University of Hawaii at Manoa, is the result of the gravitational effect of the Earth on the Moon. —Ray Petelin, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026

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