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

Several organizations of institutional investors and auditing professionals, as well as a tsunami of individual investors, expressed opposition. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

But when a tsunami rocks their island, profound tragedy ensues, and immediately ups the stakes of a brief encounter. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026

Similar calls and texts proliferated throughout Springfield’s Haitian community, triggering a tsunami of fear, panic and confusion, said Viles Dorsainvil, director of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center. — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 30 June 2026

After earlier false rumors involving tsunami threats and the collapse of major transportation links, Rodríguez dismissed new viral claims about infrastructure failures, urging the public to rely exclusively on official sources. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 June 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"