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 March 11, 2011, quake and tsunami destroyed cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, causing meltdowns at reactors 1, 2 and 3. —Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026

Set against the backdrop of the city’s recovery from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the film traces the two women’s gradual reconciliation through their father’s photographs, exploring themes of loss, identity and the Filipino diaspora. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026

After the tsunami, the storm, and the EMP, things were hard on the surface, but people formed communities, friendships, and relationships. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026

Shirahige was at Fukushima Daiichi when the quake and tsunami struck in 2011. —ABC News, 10 Mar. 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"