Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: Latin
Origin: urgere

urge

1 verb
     
urge1 W3 [transitive]
1 to strongly suggest that someone does something
urge somebody to do something
I got a note from Moira urging me to get in touch.
urge that
He urged that a referendum should be held by December.
urge something on/upon somebody
I have urged upon him the need for extreme secrecy.
The charity urged quick action.
2 [always + adverb/preposition] formal to make someone or something move by shouting, pushing them etc
urge somebody/something forward
He urged her forward, his hand under her elbow.
urge somebody into/towards something
She began urging him towards the front door.

urge somebody ↔ on

phrasal verb
to encourage a person or animal to work harder, go faster etc:
Urged on by the crowd, the Italian team scored two more goals.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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