tidal

adjective

tid·​al ˈtī-dᵊl 

1

a

: of, relating to, caused by, or having tides

tidal cycles

tidal erosion

b

: periodically rising and falling or flowing and ebbing

tidal waters

2

: dependent (as to the time of arrival or departure) upon the state of the tide

a tidal steamer

tidally

ˈtī-dᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of tidal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Perhaps the tidal interactions between those stars, which would not apply to our sun, are triggering some of their flares. —Gayoung Lee, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024

Pertaining to the part of tidal movement dependent on the moon. —Kathleen Saxe, The Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2024

Halifax also makes for a great jumping-off point for outdoor attractions like the famed Bay of Fundy, which has a dramatic tidal shift that’s best experienced aboard a jet boat. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 20 Nov. 2024

In a process called tidal flexing, tidal forces from Jupiter's gravity stretch and release Europa's ocean and icy shell above it, creating heat within the celestial body that is enough to maintain liquid beneath an otherwise cold world. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tidal

• tidal wave

Kids Definition

tidal

adjective

tid·​al ˈtīd-ᵊl 

: of or relating to tides : rising and falling or flowing and ebbing at regular times

Medical Definition

tidal

adjective

tid·​al ˈtīd-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, or constituting tidal air

interference with the normal tidal exchange of the lungs

—F. R. Mautz & R. M. Hosler