torque

American  

[tawrk] / tɔrk /

noun

1. Mechanics. something that produces or tends to produce torsion or rotation; the moment of a force or system of forces tending to cause rotation.

2. Machinery. the measured ability of a rotating element, as of a gear or shaft, to overcome turning resistance.

3. Optics. the rotational effect on plane-polarized light passing through certain liquids or crystals.

4. Also torc a collar, necklace, or similar ornament consisting of a twisted narrow band, usually of precious metal, worn especially by the ancient Gauls and Britons.

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verb (used with object)

torqued, torquing

1. Machinery. to apply torque to (a nut, bolt, etc.).

2. to cause to rotate or twist.

verb (used without object)

torqued, torquing

1. to rotate or twist.

torque British  

/ tɔːk /

noun

1. Also: torc.  a necklace or armband made of twisted metal, worn esp by the ancient Britons and Gauls

2. any force or system of forces that causes or tends to cause rotation

3. the ability of a shaft to cause rotation

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torque Scientific  

/ tôrk /

1. The tendency of a force applied to an object to make it rotate about an axis. For a force applied at a single point, the magnitude of the torque is equal to the magnitude of the force multiplied by the distance from its point of application to an axis of rotation. Torque is also a vector quantity, equal to the vector product of the vector pointing from the axis to the point of application of force and the vector of force; torque thus points upward from a counterclockwise rotation.

2. See also angular momentum lever

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Etymology

Origin of torque

First recorded in 1825–35; from Latin torquēre “to twist”; torque def. 4 is from French torque, from Latin torques “collar” (the spelling torc is perhaps from Irish, ultimately from Latin ); torques

Example Sentences

“Several times we’ve heard feedback from investors that they see more torque and potential upside in the supply chain from those tied to Nvidia than Nvidia itself as a result,” Buchalter said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

This torque travels along the strand, causing sections outside the pore to coil into plectonemes.

From Science Daily • Feb. 9, 2026

Such a motor is great if you want to spin a fan, for example, because it functions well at high speeds with low torque.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

The axles use open differentials and brake-based torque vectoring to articulate power left or right—an ability that could make the difference between getting to the ski resort or glumly waiting for a tow truck.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

Somehow I landed facedown, which forced the antenna to a strongly oblique angle that put a lot of torque on the hole in the suit.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir