Tsunami

Pronunciation

• enPR: soÍžo-nä'mi, IPA: /suːˈnɑːmi/, /tsuːˈnɑːmi/
• GenAm IPA: /suˈnÉ‘mi/, /tsuˈnÉ‘mi/
• Rhymes: -ɑːmi

Alternative forms

• sunami nonstandard

Origin

From Japanese 津波
津浪 (つなみ (tsunami, "seismic sea wave", literally harbour wave)).

Full definition of tsunami

Noun

1. A very large and destructive wave, generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean, such as an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption.

Synonyms

• tidal wave usage conflict

Derived terms

• megatsunami
• teletsunami
• tsunamigenic