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
Examples of tsunami in a Sentence
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By improving how scientists model tsunami generation — particularly the elusive near-trench processes, which produce some of the most dangerous tsunamis — these observations can help refine forecasting systems.
—
Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2026
An echo of these matches lies in Human Mask (2014), a haunting video work by Pierre Huyghe, set in Fukushima after the destruction wrought by the tsunami and then the breakdown of the nuclear reactor.
—Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Indonesia’s meteorological agency lifted its tsunami warning hours after the quake, and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said there was no destructive threat to the country, which is north of the quake’s epicenter.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Kesennuma While hit hard by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011, this charming port city has bounced back and become one of the region’s most underrated gems.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tsunami
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Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2026
An echo of these matches lies in Human Mask (2014), a haunting video work by Pierre Huyghe, set in Fukushima after the destruction wrought by the tsunami and then the breakdown of the nuclear reactor.
—Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Indonesia’s meteorological agency lifted its tsunami warning hours after the quake, and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said there was no destructive threat to the country, which is north of the quake’s epicenter.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Kesennuma While hit hard by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011, this charming port city has bounced back and become one of the region’s most underrated gems.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tsunami
Cite this Entry
“Tsunami.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tsunami. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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"
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