surge

[ surj ]

noun

1. a strong, wavelike, forward movement, rush, or sweep:

   the onward surge of an angry mob.

2. a strong, swelling, wavelike volume or body of something:

   a billowing surge of smoke.

3. a sudden, strong increase or burst:

   a surge of energy; surges of emotion.

4. Military. a significant increase in the number of troops deployed to an area.
5. the rolling swell of the sea.
6. the swelling and rolling sea:

   The surge crashed against the rocky coast.

7. a swelling wave; billow.
8. Meteorology.
   1. a widespread change in atmospheric pressure that is in addition to cyclonic and normal diurnal changes.
   2. storm surge.
9. Electricity.
   1. a sudden rush or burst of current or voltage.
   2. a violent oscillatory disturbance.
10. Nautical. a slackening or slipping back, as of a rope or cable.
11. Machinery.
    1. an uneven flow and strong momentum given to a fluid, as water in a tank, resulting in a rapid, temporary rise in pressure.
    2. pulsating unevenness of motion in an engine or gas turbine.

verb (used without object)

, surged, surg·ing.

1. (of a ship) to rise and fall, toss about, or move along on the waves:

   to surge at anchor.

2. to rise, roll, move, or swell forward in or like waves:

   The sea surged against the shore. The crowd surged back and forth.

3. to rise as if by a heaving or swelling force:

   Blood surged to his face.

4. Electricity.
   1. to increase suddenly, as current or voltage.
   2. to oscillate violently.
5. Nautical.
   1. to slack off or loosen a rope or cable around a capstan or windlass.
   2. to slip back, as a rope.
6. Machinery. to move with pulsating unevenness, as something driven by an engine or gas turbine.

verb (used with object)

, surged, surg·ing.

1. to cause to surge or roll in or as in waves.
2. Nautical. to slacken (a rope).

surge

/ sɜːdʒ /

noun

1. a strong rush or sweep; sudden increase

   a surge of anger

2. the rolling swell of the sea, esp after the passage of a large wave
3. a heavy rolling motion or sound

   the surge of the trumpets

4. an undulating rolling surface, as of hills
5. a billowing cloud or volume
6. nautical a temporary release or slackening of a rope or cable
7. a large momentary increase in the voltage or current in an electric circuit
8. an upward instability or unevenness in the power output of an engine
9. astronomy a short-lived disturbance, occurring during the eruption of a solar flare

verb

1. intr (of waves, the sea, etc) to rise or roll with a heavy swelling motion
2. intr to move like a heavy sea
3. nautical to slacken or temporarily release (a rope or cable) from a capstan or (of a rope, etc) to be slackened or released and slip back
4. intr (of an electric current or voltage) to undergo a large momentary increase
5. rare.
   tr to cause to move in or as if in a wave or waves

surge

/ sûrj /

1. A coastal rise in water level caused by wind.

Derived Forms

• ˈsurger, noun
• ˈsurgeless, adjective

Other Words From

• un·surging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of surge¹

First recorded in 1480–90; perhaps from Latin surgere “to arise, stand up,” contracted from surrigere, from sur- sur- ²( def ) + -rigere, combining form of regere “to make straight, guide, rule”

Word History and Origins

Origin of surge¹

C15: from Latin surgere to rise, from sub- up + regere to lead

Example Sentences

For all its benefits, the much-vaunted surge in digital advertising has come at a cost.

From Digiday

There was a “big surge of reader interest with the pandemic and the election,” Pasick said.

From Digiday

Several users Recode spoke to said that in recent weeks, the platform has seen a surge in people desperate for more information on where and how to get vaccinated, and neighbors trading information about how to find an available dose.

From Vox

There might only be six to 12 weeks before the new variant triggers another surge.

From Washington Post

This pattern suggests there is more to the story than retail investors buying shares and holding them through the stock surge, said Shapiro, the Georgetown policy fellow.

From Washington Post

The U.S. launched campaigns in the restive Iraqi city of Fallujah and a surge campaign in Baghdad.

From The Daily Beast

“People are generally diplomatic,” says Steinbrick of regulars dealing with the surge of new faces.

From The Daily Beast

The quality of the music is a major factor in this recent surge.

From The Daily Beast

“When I first met her I felt this tremendous surge of power,” he explained.

From The Daily Beast

Uber responded to the PR nightmare by reversing the surge, refunding those affected, and doling out free rides.

From The Daily Beast

It was a question whether the mutineers would not surge over it in triumph within the hour.

From Project Gutenberg

A fearsome struggle would surge around that tower where the British flag was flying.

From Project Gutenberg

But meanwhile the keeper has shouted for a fresh set of bears, who surge wildly into the room.

From Project Gutenberg

Joe saw her slim against the light, and his thoughts were like the sea surge, wild, unruly.

From Project Gutenberg

At one hundred feet in depth, the passage of the surge would be strong enough to urge considerable pebbles before it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• deluge
• flood
• flow
• growth
• outpouring
• rise
• swell
• upsurge
• wave