tsunami

noun

tsu·​na·​mi (t)su̇-ˈnä-mē How to pronounce tsunami (audio)
plural tsunamis also tsunami
: a great sea wave produced especially by submarine earth movement or volcanic eruption : tidal wave
tsunamic adjective

Examples of tsunami in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Japan's Nuclear Plants Rattled As Magnitude 6.9 Quake Hits Hyuga-Nada By Michael D. Carroll Breaking News Editor 0 Two of Japan's nuclear power plants were rattled on Monday when a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck southwest Japan, prompting a tsunami advisory for parts of the region. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 In Rikuzentakata, Murakami finds that worldview pervasive among young tsunami survivors. Stephen J. Nesbitt, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025 There have been no reports so far about damage linked to the tremor, according to the Associated Press, which added that the tsunami advisory was later called off. David Chiu, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025 In the future, Watch Duty hopes to explore the use of other types of data, such as river gauges, tsunami buoys and earthquakes. Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for tsunami 

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, from tsu harbor + nami wave

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tsunami was in 1896

Dictionary Entries Near tsunami

Cite this Entry

“Tsunami.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tsunami. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

tsunami

noun
tsu·​na·​mi (t)su̇-ˈnäm-ē How to pronounce tsunami (audio)
: a great sea wave produced especially by an earthquake or volcanic eruption under the sea : tidal wave
Etymology

Japanese, from tsu "harbor" + nami "wave"

More from Merriam-Webster on tsunami

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