tsunami

Meaning

1. A very large and destructive wave, generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean, such as an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption; often a series of waves (a wave train).
2. A large and generally unstoppable surge.

Synonyms

tidal wave

seismic sea wave

surge

billow

rolling wave

sea-quake

floodhead

breaker

Pronounced as (IPA)

/(t)suːˈnɑːmi/

Etymology

Borrowed from Japanese 津(つ)波(なみ) (tsunami), from 津 (tsu, “harbour”) + 波 (nami, “wave”).

Sentences

Experts of geology agree: Yesterday's tsunami was just a herald of the imminent apocalypse .