/ fɔːdʒ; NAmE fɔːrdʒ/ verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] to put a lot of effort into making sth successful or strong so that it will last :
a move to forge new links between management and workers
Strategic alliances are being forged with major European companies.
She forged a new career in the music business.
2.
[ vn ] to make an illegal copy of sth in order to cheat people :
to forge a passport / banknote / cheque
He's getting good at forging his mother's signature.
—compare counterfeit
3.
[ vn ] to shape metal by heating it in a fire and hitting it with a hammer; to make an object in this way :
swords forged from steel
4.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] ( formal ) to move forward in a steady but powerful way :
He forged through the crowds to the front of the stage.
She forged into the lead (= in a competition, race, etc.) .
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PHRASAL VERBS
- forge ahead (with sth)
■ noun
1.
a place where objects are made by heating and shaping pieces of metal, especially one where a blacksmith works
2.
a large piece of equipment used for heating metals in; a building or part of a factory where this is found
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WORD ORIGIN
verb senses 1 to 3 and noun Middle English (also in the general sense make, construct ): from Old French forger , from Latin fabricare fabricate, from fabrica manufactured object, workshop. The noun is via Old French from Latin fabrica .
verb sense 4 mid 18th cent.: perhaps an aberrant pronunciation of force .