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

Energy prices spiked again, with crude oil reaching $116 a barrel while European gas prices surged, an issue that will dominate conversation at a summit of EU leaders that opens today in Brussels. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026

Carlos Barria | Reuters Chinese artificial intelligence stocks surged Wednesday following upbeat comments from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on the promise of AI agents and OpenClaw. —Lee Ying Shan,dylan Butts, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026

Noun

Liam Ramos, 5, and his father were taken into custody by ICE agents from their home in Columbia Heights during the ICE surge in January. —Jason Rantala, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

Carlsbad’s late first-quarter surge became an inferno in the second, with the Lancers going on a 5-0 run over the final 12 minutes of the half to take an 8-3 lead. —Clark Fahrenthold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 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