tsunami

[tsoo-nah-mee]

noun

1. an unusually large sea wave produced by a seaquake or undersea volcanic eruption.

tsunami

/ tsʊˈnæmɪ /

noun

1. a large, often destructive, sea wave produced by a submarine earthquake, subsidence, or volcanic eruption. Sometimes incorrectly called a tidal wave

2. a sudden increase in or overwhelming number or volume of

   the tsunami of Olympic visitors

tsunami

1. 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.

2. See Note at tidal wave

tsunami

1. A large wave on the ocean, usually caused by an undersea earthquake, a volcanic eruption, or coastal landslide. A tsunami can travel hundreds of miles over the open sea and cause extensive damage when it encounters land. Also called tidal waves.

Other Word Forms

• tsunamic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tsunami¹

1905–10; < Japanese, equivalent to tsu harbor (earlier tu ) + nami wave

Word History and Origins

Origin of tsunami¹

from Japanese, from tsu port + nami wave

Example Sentences

A powerful 6.9-magnitude aftershock jolted quake-hit southern Philippines late Friday, triggering a fresh tsunami alert just hours after an earlier warning was lifted, authorities said.

Read more on Barron's

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Philippines, prompting tsunami warnings from Philippine and Indonesian authorities.

Read more on BBC

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center lifted its tsunami alert for the Philippines, Palau and Indonesia on Friday, hours after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the southern Philippines.

Read more on Barron's

About 66 million years ago, scientists believe, a city-size asteroid crashed into Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, precipitating a series of worldwide catastrophes: a massive earthquake, landslides, wildfires, tsunamis and temperatures reaching 700 degrees Fahrenheit.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

TAIPEI—The people of Taiwan carry out their lives under the threat of typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis and military invasion.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• deluge 
• downpour 
• flow 
• glut 
• spate 
• stream 
• surge 
• tide 
• torrent 
• wave