tsunami
Americannoun
noun
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a large, often destructive, sea wave produced by a submarine earthquake, subsidence, or volcanic eruption. Sometimes incorrectly called a tidal wave
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a sudden increase in or overwhelming number or volume of
the tsunami of Olympic visitors
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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.
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See Note at tidal wave
Other Word Forms
- tsunamic adjective
Etymology
Origin of tsunami
1905–10; < Japanese, equivalent to tsu harbor (earlier tu ) + nami wave
Compare meaning
How does tsunami 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.
Dangerously high radiation levels make removing melted fuel and other debris from the plant hit by a huge tsunami in 2011 the most daunting challenge in the decades-long decommissioning project.
From Barron's
As the weeks amass and donations dwindle, survivors question how long they will be left in limbo after the worst disaster to strike Aceh since a 2004 tsunami.
From Barron's
The tsunami of Chinese goods entering other markets has created frictions as manufacturers elsewhere struggle to compete.
Its goal is to create a real world research laboratory to better understand marine hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis in the central Mediterranean.
From Science Daily
"This is coming like a tsunami and we are the first people on the battle line," said Sherry Brown, a background actor.
From Barron's
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.
