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
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:
Explanation
A tsunami is an enormous sea wave that erupts and reaches land. You should be afraid of them, because a tsunami can destroy a coastal region in minutes. Japan has had the misfortune of experiencing many tsunamis. They're caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea. In Japanese, tsu means "harbor" and nami means "wave." We sometimes use tsunami metaphorically, to describe really destructive events. After your parents came home, they compared the mess from your party to a tsunami.
Vocabulary lists containing tsunami
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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Physical Geography - Introductory
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Brace Yourself: Earthquake Words
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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.
A magnitude-7.7 earthquake jolted Panama on Friday, setting off panic in the capital city and warnings of dangerous tsunami waves.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
A massive magnitude 7.7 earthquake has hit Panama, damaging buildings and prompting a wide-ranging tsunami warning for neighbouring countries.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
“The silver tsunami has been a topic since 1998,” said Coburn Packard, head of real estate equity at BDT & MSD Partners.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
And I heard about it, in thundering waves of sarcasm and snark, from old fashioned emails to online comments, a tsunami of taunts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026
When a tsunami swept through in the year 869, many of the village’s residents had rushed to high ground there.
From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland
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.
