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surge

n. · v.
US //ˈsɝdʒ// UK //sˈɜːdʒ// surge
  1. 1 sudden increase (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a sudden and great increase in something.

    a sudden, transient rush or significant increase in volume, intensity, or quantity.

    Example

    The city saw a sudden surge in the number of people using public transport this morning.

    Example

    Economists noted a significant surge in consumer spending following the announcement of the tax cuts, though they warned the effect might be temporary.
  2. 2 electricity (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    a sudden, brief increase in the amount of electricity in a wire.

    a transient increase in voltage or current in an electrical circuit, often capable of damaging sensitive equipment.

    Example

    A power surge during the storm damaged my computer.

    Example

    The facility installed industrial-grade protectors to shield the servers from any unexpected voltage surge caused by the local power grid.
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  1. 3 water or sea (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    a sudden, strong movement of a large amount of water.

    a powerful forward or upward movement of a body of water, such as a swell or a storm-driven rise in sea level.

    Example

    The storm surge caused the river to overflow and flood the nearby streets.

    Example

    Meteorologists warned that the tidal surge would likely breach the coastal defences if the wind speed continued to increase throughout the night.
  2. 4 jet engine (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    a sudden change in airflow that makes a jet engine lose power or make loud noises.

    a momentary reversal of airflow through a jet engine's compressor, typically resulting in a loss of thrust and audible banging.

    Example

    The pilot managed the engine surge safely and landed the plane without any trouble.

    Example

    The investigation concluded that a compressor surge was triggered when the aircraft ingested a large bird during the initial climb phase.
  3. 5 to move forward suddenly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to move forward or upward very quickly and with great force.

    to move with a sudden, strong, and irresistible force in a specific direction.

    Example

    The crowd surged forward as soon as the gates opened.

    Example

    Adrenaline surged through his veins as he stepped onto the stage to address the waiting audience.

    Usage

    The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
  4. 6 to increase quickly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to increase in value or amount very suddenly.

    to experience a sudden and significant increase in value, price, or intensity.

    Example

    Oil prices surged after the news of the conflict reached the markets.

    Example

    The company's stock surged by ten percent in midday trading following the release of their quarterly earnings report.
Etymology 1

The verb is from Middle English ^((please verify)) surgen, possibly from Middle French sourgir, from Old French surgir (“to rise, ride near the shore, arrive, land”), from Old Catalan surgir, from Latin surgō, contraction of surrigō, subrigō (“lift up, raise, erect; intransitive rise, arise, get up, spring up, grow, etc.”, transitive verb), from sub (“from below; up”) + regō (“to stretch”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₃réǵeti (“to straighten; right”), from the root h₃reǵ-; see regent. Doublet of source and sourd. The noun is from the verb.

Etymology 2

From Middle English sourge, of uncertain origin. In the earliest examples, translating Old French sourgeon (modern French surgeon), from sourge- (which the Middle English term is probably from), the present stem of sourdre, from Latin surgō (“to rise”).

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