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

But when the tsunami generated by the shock destabilized the cooling systems of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, the potential for disaster became exponentially greater. —K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026

There were countless moments of sudden retreat and explosive payoff, like the eerie calm before a tsunami. —Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026

Indeed, there is much talk in Detroit about the competitive tsunami that will be unleashed on American automakers once Chinese car companies find a way to break through trade barriers now protecting the US market. —Bloomberg, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026

Too bad about Xavier’s wife, Teri (Enuka Okuma), drowning in the mega-tsunami that also wiped out life on the Earth’s surface, huh? —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 Feb. 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"