tidal

[ tahyd-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.

tidal

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈtidally, adverb

Other Words From

• tidal·ly adverb
• non·tidal adjective
• un·tidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tidal¹

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

Example Sentences

Some of Activision Blizzard’s most prominent brand partners have already started placing pressure on the company — a trickle of uneasy sponsors with the potential to become a tidal wave.

From Digiday

Located at Point Reyes National Seashore, this rare 40-foot tidal cascade empties directly into the Pacific Ocean.

From Outside Online

Instead, college students of all stripes are part of a tidal wave of public opinion that is largely anti-NCAA and pro-athlete rights — and contributing to a flood of new policies reshaping college athletics.

From FiveThirtyEight

It would not cover Surfside, nor would it protect from tidal flooding elsewhere in the city.

From Washington Post

A kind of tidal change began early last month, seemingly set in motion by two events.

From Washington Post

The planet is deep in the gravitational well of a black hole, and the black hole would surely have very high tidal forces.

From The Daily Beast

Can there actually be massive tidal waves like the one we saw on the first planet they visited?

From The Daily Beast

In "Pamela 1" Louie wades deeper into the gender pool, doubtlessly inviting a tidal wave of backlash.

From The Daily Beast

Tempest, hurricane, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, or Big Bang?

From The Daily Beast

But the public indignation that was slow to rise at first is now coming on like a tidal wave.

From The Daily Beast

A tidal wave rolls landward, and twenty thousand human beings are drowned, or crushed to death.

From Project Gutenberg

The tidal rivers mentioned previously are actually estuaries of Chesapeake Bay and they flow periodically inland.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the people who live around them may enjoy the waters the same as others enjoy tidal waters.

From Project Gutenberg

Each time the tidal wave sweeps in toward the shore it urges the finer particles of sediment along with it.

From Project Gutenberg

The effect of tidal movement in nurturing marine life is very great.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• falling
• rolling
• running
• sinuous
• streaming