tidal wave

noun

1
a
: an unusually high sea wave that is triggered especially by an earthquake
b
: an unusual rise of water alongshore due to strong winds
2
: something overwhelming especially in quantity or volume
a tidal wave of tourists

Examples of tidal wave in a Sentence

a tidal wave of emotion
Recent Examples on the Web Through the rip-roaring tidal waves of highs and lows, the girls have weathered every storm with grace. Jenna Wang, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2024 As the industry recalibrates itself from the holiday rush, the hip-hop and R&B worlds are slowly getting back to their weekly tidal waves of new music. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 8 Jan. 2024 Those increases fall in line with data that shows a tidal wave of applicants clamoring for remote jobs. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Feb. 2024 And yes, there was some red in the tidal wave of blue: A Free Press reporter counted at least a dozen folks wearing red in the stands. Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 28 Jan. 2024 Tuesday's announcement came amid a tidal wave of changes in leadership at Blue Origin this month, with several high-profile retirements and the arrival of its new chief executive, who has come to the company from Amazon, Dave Limp. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 12 Dec. 2023 The Ravens also have a tidal wave of players set to hit free agency, making the climb back to the precipice of the Super Bowl that much harder. Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 31 Jan. 2024 But to hear a full orchestra lushly render Sondheim’s layered score is an extraordinary gift — there’s an electricity that comes with sitting in a dark theater and letting the opening number’s wall of sound crash into you with the force of a tidal wave. Christian Holub, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2023 After a tidal wave of requests from the Bardi Gang, Cardi made the Strawberry Whipshots available for purchase online with a retail price tag of $14.99 along with select retail carriers across the country. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tidal wave.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of tidal wave was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near tidal wave

Cite this Entry

“Tidal wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tidal%20wave. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tidal wave

noun
1
: an unusually high sea wave that is triggered especially by an earthquake
2
: an unusual rise of water alongshore due to strong winds
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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