tidal wave
Americannoun
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tidal waves
plural
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(not in technical use) a large, destructive ocean wave, produced by a seaquake, hurricane, or strong wind.
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either of the two great wavelike swellings of the ocean surface that move around the earth on opposite sides and give rise to tide, caused by the attraction of the moon and sun.
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any widespread or powerful movement, opinion, or tendency.
a tidal wave of public indignation.
noun
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a name (not accepted in technical usage) for tsunami
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an unusually large incoming wave, often caused by high winds and spring tides
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a forceful and widespread movement in public opinion, action, etc
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Either of the two swells or crests of surface ocean water created by the gravitational effects of the Moon and Sun and circling the globe on opposite sides to create the daily periods of high and low tides.
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Also called tidal bulge
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An unusual rise in the level of water along a seacoast, as from a storm or a combination of wind and tide.
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Also called storm surge
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A tsunami.
Usage
The term tidal wave is used in everyday speech to refer to a gigantic and enormously destructive wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption—what scientists would properly call a tsunami. When scientists use the word tidal wave, they normally are referring to an unusually large wave or bulge of water that sometimes occurs around a high tide. These tidal waves are certainly big and powerful, but they are tiny in comparison with tsunamis.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of tidal wave
First recorded in 1820–30
Compare meaning
How does tidal-wave compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
"This has everything to do with the AI boom as memory companies continue to ride a tidal wave driven by limited supply and unprecedented demand," he added.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
They wrote text prompts that explored 18 different variations of the sea parting and discarded the ones that didn’t work, enabling Kingsley to react to a tidal wave projected onto a 360-degree LED wall screen.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026
After huge equity issuance in the years preceding, there was a tidal wave of IPO lock-up periods expiring that created a never-ending cascade of selling, Jones recalls.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 28, 2026
And so when that case doesn’t break through, we blame that person for their case not breaking through, as opposed to the larger tidal wave.
From Slate ● Apr. 13, 2026
Names and dates, curtains and earrings, ships and theatres and angels rushed by as if they were caught in a tidal wave.
From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
