tsunami

noun

tsu·​na·​mi (t)su̇-ˈnä-mē How to pronounce tsunami (audio)
plural tsunamis also tsunami
Synonyms of tsunaminext
: 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.
No tsunami advisory was issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2026 In the first decade of the 21st century, citizens played key roles in reporting several major stories, such as the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia, the 2005 London Tube bombings, and shootings of unarmed citizens by police. Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026 No tsunami advisory was issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency. ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026 Japan has restarted 15 reactors after reviewing the lessons of the earthquake and tsunami that damaged the Fukushima plant, and 10 more are in the process of getting approval to restart. Vladimir Isachenkov, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tsunami.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tsunami. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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"

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