# surge

/ˈsɝdʒ/ (US) · /sˈɜːdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/surge
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. sudden increase

noun · CEFR B2

a sudden and great increase in something.

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

- The city saw a sudden surge in the number of people using public transport this morning.
- Economists noted a significant surge in consumer spending following the announcement of the tax cuts, though they warned the effect might be temporary.

### 2. electricity

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- A power surge during the storm damaged my computer.
- The facility installed industrial-grade protectors to shield the servers from any unexpected voltage surge caused by the local power grid.

### 3. water or sea

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The storm surge caused the river to overflow and flood the nearby streets.
- Meteorologists warned that the tidal surge would likely breach the coastal defences if the wind speed continued to increase throughout the night.

### 4. jet engine

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- The pilot managed the engine surge safely and landed the plane without any trouble.
- The investigation concluded that a compressor surge was triggered when the aircraft ingested a large bird during the initial climb phase.

### 5. to move forward suddenly

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- The crowd surged forward as soon as the gates opened.
- 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.

### 6. to increase quickly

verb · CEFR B2

to increase in value or amount very suddenly.

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

- Oil prices surged after the news of the conflict reached the markets.
- The company's stock surged by ten percent in midday trading following the release of their quarterly earnings report.

## Examples

- The city saw a sudden surge in tourism this summer.
- A massive storm surge flooded the coastal roads, making it impossible for emergency vehicles to reach the town.
- Economists are closely monitoring the recent surge in consumer spending to determine if it signals a long-term recovery or merely a temporary reaction to the lifting of restrictions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.