tidal

American  

[tahyd-l] / ˈtaɪd l /

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characterized by, or subject to tides: tide.

   a tidal current.

2. dependent on the state of the tide as to time of departure.

   a tidal steamer.

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tidal British  

/ ˈtaɪdəl /

adjective

1. relating to, characterized by, or affected by tides

   a tidal estuary

2. dependent on the state of the tide

   a tidal ferry

3. (of a glacier) reaching the sea and discharging floes or icebergs

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Other Word Forms

• nontidal adjective
• tidally adverb
• untidal adjective

Etymology

Origin of tidal

First recorded in 1800–10; tide ¹ + -al ¹

Example Sentences

That demographic tidal wave is giving rise to what many analysts call the “silver economy”—and it may be one of the few durable growth engines for consumption in China today.

From Barron's

“It’s like the beginning of a tidal wave,” said Peggy Wheeler, vice president of policy of the California Hospital Association.

From Los Angeles Times

In its effort to protect its members from a tidal wave of sports-event contracts, the AGA’s stance is that prediction-market companies are simply trying to avoid state regulation.

From MarketWatch

Thomas noted that even small tidal forces reveal how rapidly stress can rebuild.

From Science Daily

“I had a sad and uneasy feeling that we were somehow being swept apart by a huge tidal wave over which we had no control,” mourns Decca.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• falling
• rolling
• running
• sinuous
• streaming