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

Debris roughly the same volume as 10,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools plunged into the water below, creating a 650-foot-tall tsunami. —Darren Orf, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2025

His tsunami of levies has bludgeoned the stock market and wiped billions of dollars off Americans’ retirement accounts. —Anna Cooban, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025

When the biggest name in the sport jumps teams, a tsunami hits. —Olivia Hicks, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025

But then, what does this incoming tsunami of revolution and war do to people's relationships? Diego Luna and Tony Gilroy explain why Andor was a 'risk' for Star Wars Maarva clearly cast a long shadow from beyond the grave in the season 1 finale. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 10 Mar. 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"