tsunami

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a cataclysm resulting from a destructive sea wave caused by an earthquake or volcanic eruption

   a colossal tsunami destroyed the Minoan civilization in minutes

2. 2
   noun

   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).

   A tsunami struck Japan recently.

3. 3
   noun

   A large and generally unstoppable surge.

   It seemed that what started out as a handful of isolated cases gradually turned into a tsunami of complaints.

Etymology

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