storm surge

American

noun

an abnormal rise in the level of the sea along a coast caused by the onshore winds of a severe cyclone.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Vonk and his team ensure the country is ready for extreme scenarios: a drought meaning all inland shipping is beached or a devastating storm surge.

From Barron's • Nov. 7, 2025

The fierce winds and storm surge that barrelled through here have decimated nearly everything, leaving roads unusable and a trail of destruction that has them increasingly desperate and isolated with no electricity or running water.

From BBC • Oct. 31, 2025

Jamaica is bracing for the powerful Hurricane Melissa to make landfall Tuesday, threatening to bring a destructive onslaught of rain, storm surge and winds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

"Destructive winds and storm surge and catastrophic flooding will worsen on Jamaica through the day and into tonight."

From Barron's • Oct. 27, 2025

The storm surge was on Natalie in seconds.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023