tsunami

[ tsoo-nah-mee ]
See synonyms for tsunami on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an unusually large sea wave produced by a seaquake or undersea volcanic eruption.

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Origin of tsunami

1
1905–10; <Japanese, equivalent to tsu harbor (earlier tu) + nami wave
  • Also called seismic sea wave.

Other words from tsunami

  • tsu·na·mic [tsoo-nah-mik, -nam-ik], /tsʊˈnɑ mɪk, -ˈnæm ɪk/, adjective

Words that may be confused with tsunami

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How to use tsunami in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tsunami

tsunami

/ (tsʊˈnæmɪ) /


nounplural -mis or -mi
  1. a large, often destructive, sea wave produced by a submarine earthquake, subsidence, or volcanic eruption. Sometimes incorrectly called a tidal wave

  2. a sudden increase in or overwhelming number or volume of: the tsunami of Olympic visitors

Origin of tsunami

1
from Japanese, from tsu port + nami wave

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for tsunami

tsunami

[ tsōō-nä ]


  1. A very large ocean wave that is caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption and often causes extreme destruction when it strikes land. Tsunamis can have heights of up to 30 m (98 ft) and reach speeds of 950 km (589 mi) per hour. They are characterized by long wavelengths of up to 200 km (124 mi) and long periods, usually between 10 and 60 minutes. See Note at tidal wave.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for tsunami

tsunami

[ (tsooh-nah-mee) ]


A large wave on the ocean, usually caused by an undersea earthquake, a volcanic eruption, or coastal landslide. A tsunami can travel hundreds of miles over the open sea and cause extensive damage when it encounters land. Also called tidal waves.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.