surge

1 of 2

verb

ˈsərj 

surged; surging

intransitive verb

1

: to rise and fall actively : toss

a ship surging in heavy seas

2

: to rise and move in waves or billows : swell

the sea was surging

3

: to slip around a windlass, capstan, or bitts

—used especially of a rope

4

: to rise suddenly to an excessive or abnormal value

the stock market surged to a record high

5

: to move with a surge or in surges

… felt the blood surging into his face.

—Harry Hervey

she surged past the other runners

transitive verb

: to let go or slacken gradually

surge a rope

surge

2 of 2

noun

1

: a swelling, rolling, or sweeping forward like that of a wave or series of waves

a surge of interest

2

a

: a large wave or billow : swell

b(1)

: a series of such swells or billows

(2)

: the resulting elevation of water level

3

a

: a movement (such as a slipping or slackening) of a rope or cable

b

: a sudden jerk or strain caused by such a movement

4

: a transient sudden rise of current or voltage in an electrical circuit

Synonyms of surge

Noun

• wave
• swell

Examples of surge in a Sentence

Verb

We all surged toward the door.

She surged past the other runners.

Thoughts of what could happen were surging through his mind.

Housing prices have surged in recent months.

Interest in the sport has been surging.

Noun

The sport is enjoying a surge in popularity.

a surge of support for the candidate

There was a sudden surge toward the door.

There has been a surge of immigrants into the city.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

China's passenger car exports surged 64% in September from the same month in 2025, an industry association reported Monday, as Chinese automakers increasingly focus on exports to drive growth at a time of sluggish domestic sales. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Their remarks highlight an emerging challenge for the AI industry, which has poured enormous sums into data centers, advanced chips and power infrastructure in anticipation of surging demand for computing capacity. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Noun

Judging by the surge in both the number and range of baits used on authors over the past couple of years, the scams seem to be launched from multiple territories. — Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 13 Oct. 2026

Inflation dropped sharply, deposits flowed back into the banking system, and the economy switched from negative to positive growth with a surge in exports leading the way. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

earlier, to ride (at anchor) probably in part from Middle French sourgir to cast anchor, land, from Catalan surgir to heave, cast anchor, from Latin surgere to rise, spring up; from sub- up + regere to lead straight; in part from Latin surgere — more at sub-, right

First Known Use

Verb

1511, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing surge

• surge protector

Rhymes for surge

• dirge
• merge
• purge
• scourge
• serge
• splurge
• spurge
• sturge
• urge
• verge
• converge
• diverge

Kids Definition

surge

1 of 2 verb

ˈsərj 

surged; surging

1

: to rise and fall actively

2

: to move in or as if in waves

surge

2 of 2 noun

1

: a swelling, rolling, or sweeping forward like that of a wave : an onward rush

a surge of support for the candidate

2

: a large wave or billow : swell