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

Another is that distinguishing between tsunami deposits and storm deposits is incredibly difficult, with tsunamis leaving some of the same signs as hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2025

This post contains spoilers for the penultimate episode of Doctor Odyssey season 1. Will Joshua Jackson survive the tsunami when the two-part season finale of Doctor Odyssey concludes next week? —Julia Moore, People.com, 9 May 2025

The earthquake will soon bring tsunami waves, and the captain needs to search for deeper water. —Claire Franken, TVLine, 8 May 2025

News of the meeting late on Tuesday sent U.S. equity index futures sharply higher as trading resumed following a second straight day of losses on Wall Street fueled by uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tsunami of tariffs. —Andrea Shalal, USA Today, 7 May 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"