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 tsunami that followed a powerful earthquake off the coast of Russia on July 29 caused $1 million in damage to Crescent City Harbor, initial estimates show.

From Los Angeles Times

“Grief comes and goes in waves, and with Mother’s Day approaching, it has felt more like a tsunami,” she told TMZ at the time.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Sawicki said the tsunami of fake images was undermining the Auschwitz Memorial's mission to raise awareness of the Holocaust.

From BBC

Counter-accusations ensue, leaving Roberts’ character unsure whom to believe and paranoid that this blame tsunami will cause her own ethically dubious past to surface.

From Los Angeles Times

It came through my life like a tsunami.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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