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

Bryan Watts has spent more than three decades watching ospreys reclaim the Chesapeake Bay, returning each spring from South America to crowd its tidal rivers and creeks, shorelines, channel markers and nesting platforms. — Mark Robichaux, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2026

In many coastal locations, the tidal flooding that transpired ranks within the top 10 of such events ever recorded, reaching levels not seen since Superstorm Sandy in 2012. — Matthew Delucia, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026

Another round of tidal flooding is also beginning as high tide rolls in on Sunday morning. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Several days of strong winds will cause water to build up along the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England coast, causing multiple rounds of tidal flooding that could reach 1 to 3 feet above ground that’s normally dry. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 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
• bactericidal
• insecticidal

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