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 brawny mill is connected to a four-speed automatic and is factory rated for 238 hp and 287 ft lbs of torque, according to the auction listing. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Jan. 2025

There's no mention of any powertrain tuning, so the stock turbo-three will be left to its own devices in developing up to 97 hp and 103 lb-ft (140 Nm) of torque. —New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2025

Verb

Also, because Saturn isn’t a perfect sphere but instead bulges at the equator from its rapid 10.5-hour rotation period, the planet’s thickened middle would have torqued debris into an orbit directly over the equator; this is why a ring-generating impact would have formed a flat disk. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025

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

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)