surge

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

Examples of surge in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

South Africa’s central bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time in three years, in effect blunting a $1 billion fuel relief package designed to soften the blow of surging oil prices. —Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 May 2026

The push comes as citywide service requests for streetlight repairs have surged over the last several years. —Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

The latest federal data shows that spending at gas stations in April surged a whopping 21% compared to last year. —Alina Selyukh, NPR, 29 May 2026

Workshop bookings are surging, Gen Z is driving the trend and artisans practicing dying trades are getting an unexpected lifeline. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

1511, in the meaning defined at intransitive 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