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/, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH tsunami

cyclone hurricane tidal wave tornado tsunami typhoon

Words nearby tsunami

tsp., tsr, tss, tsta, tsugaru strait, tsunami, tsuris, tsushima, tsushima current, tsushima strait, tsutsugamushi disease

Example sentences from the Web for tsunamic

  • It is heart rending and often provokes in me a tsunamic pity, an earthquake of goodwill.

    After the Rain |Sam Vaknin

British Dictionary definitions for tsunamic

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 tsunamic

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 tsunamic

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.