torque

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈtȯrk 

1

: a force that produces or tends to produce rotation or torsion

an automobile engine delivers torque to the drive shaft

also : a measure of the effectiveness of such a force that consists of the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to the axis of rotation

2

: a turning or twisting force

torque

2 of 3

verb

torqued; torquing

transitive verb

: to impart torque to : cause to twist (as about an axis)

torquer noun

torque

3 of 3

noun (2)

variants or torc

: a usually metal collar or neck chain worn by the ancient Gauls, Germans, and Britons

Examples of torque in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The standard hybrid drivetrain offers 245 horsepower and over 250 pound-feet of torque. —Karl Brauer, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Elevate is a $1,995 palm-sized motor with 750 watts of power—enough to produce 75 Newton-meters of torque—that clips onto the wheel of a regular bike. —Chris Stokel-Walker, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024

Verb

Likewise, being too heavy-handed or trying to torque the screw too quickly can have the same effect. —Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2024

But the Mercedes one-ups the Rivian by integrating a low-range gear reduction—a staple for any hardcore 4x4—that multiplies torque for rock crawling, dune bashing or other lower-speed situations. —IEEE Spectrum, 13 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Latin torquēre to twist

Noun (2)

French, from Latin torques, from torquēre to twist — more at torture entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1959, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1695, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing torque

• torque converter

Medical Definition

torque

1 of 2 noun

ˈtȯrk 

: a force that produces or tends to produce rotation or torsion

also : a measure of the effectiveness of such a force that consists of the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to the axis of rotation

torque

2 of 2 transitive verb

torqued; torquing

: to impart torque to : cause to twist (as a tooth about its long axis)