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

No tsunami was expected after that quake. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

Patients are the nexus between responsible health care and a dangerous technologic tsunami. —Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 23 Nov. 2025

Japan’s devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami caused water within the plant to be contaminated with highly radioactive material. —Jerome Taylor, CNN Money, 19 Nov. 2025

In Thailand, the Chinese export tsunami has precipitated a crisis among smaller firms making car parts, electrical equipment, and consumer goods, stoking fears of deindustrialization. —Andy Browne, semafor.com, 13 Nov. 2025

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"