tsunami
[ tsoo-nah-mee ]
/ tsʊˈnɑ mi /
noun
an unusually large sea wave produced by a seaquake or undersea volcanic eruption.
Also called
seismic sea wave.
Origin of tsunami
1905–10; < Japanese, equivalent to
tsu harbor (earlier
tu) +
nami wave
OTHER WORDS FROM tsunami
tsu·na·mic [tsoo-nah-mik, -nam-ik] /tsʊˈnɑ mɪk, -ˈnæm ɪk/, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH tsunami
cyclone hurricane tidal wave tornado tsunami typhoonWords nearby tsunami
tsp.,
tsr,
tss,
tsta,
tsugaru strait,
tsunami,
tsuris,
tsushima,
tsushima current,
tsushima strait,
tsutsugamushi disease
Example sentences from the Web for tsunami
British Dictionary definitions for tsunami
tsunami
/ (tsʊˈnæmɪ) /
noun plural -mis or -mi
a large, often destructive, sea wave produced by a submarine earthquake, subsidence, or volcanic eruption. Sometimes incorrectly called a tidal wave
a sudden increase in or overwhelming number or volume of
the tsunami of Olympic visitors
Word Origin for tsunami
from Japanese, from
tsu port +
nami wave
Scientific definitions for tsunami
tsunami
[ tsōō-nä′mē ]
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. See Note at tidal wave.
Cultural definitions for tsunami
tsunami
[ (tsooh-nah-mee) ]
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.