tsunami

noun

tsu·​na·​mi (t)su̇-ˈnä-mē 

plural tsunamis also tsunami

: a great sea wave produced especially by submarine earth movement or volcanic eruption : tidal wave

tsunamic

(t)su̇-ˈnä-mik 

adjective

Examples of tsunami in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The year after Ikezoe moved to New York, an earthquake and tsunami in Japan caused an electrical grid failure, leading the nuclear power plant in Fukushima to release radioactive contaminants in the surrounding region. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 11 May 2026

The source of the 2025 Tracy Arm tsunami was a steep rock wedge on the northern side of the fjord. —Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 May 2026

The silver tsunami is shaking up commercial real estate after years of senior housing being the quiet corner of the market. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 9 May 2026

Having this data layer will improve global prediction models related to weather and climate, tsunami impact zones and sea-level rise. —Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, from tsu harbor + nami wave

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tsunami

• salami
• tatami
• thalami
• balmy
• brahmi
• commie
• mommy
• palmy
• rami
• saami
• swami
• swamy

Kids Definition

tsunami

noun

tsu·​na·​mi (t)su̇-ˈnäm-ē 

: a great sea wave produced especially by an earthquake or volcanic eruption under the sea : tidal wave

Etymology

Japanese, from tsu "harbor" + nami "wave"