torrent

American  

[tawr-uhnt, tor-] / ˈtɔr ənt, ˈtɒr- /

noun

1. a stream of water flowing with great rapidity and violence.

2. a rushing, violent, or abundant and unceasing stream of anything.

   a torrent of lava.

3. a violent downpour of rain.

4. a violent, tumultuous, or overwhelming flow.

   a torrent of abuse.

   Synonyms:

   spate, flood, deluge, outburst

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adjective

1. torrential.

torrent British  

/ ˈtɒrənt /

noun

1. a fast, voluminous, or violent stream of water or other liquid

2. an overwhelming flow of thoughts, words, sound, etc

3. computing a file that controls the transfer of data in a BitTorrent system See BitTorrent

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adjective

1. rare like or relating to a torrent

Etymology

Origin of torrent

1595–1605; < Latin torrent- (stem of torrēns ) seething, literally, burning, present participle of torrēre to burn, parch; torrid, -ent

Example Sentences

I heard the stream before I saw it, a great rushing torrent tumbling down off the hillside and into a pool of bright water.

From Literature

The way to the west was blocked by a torrent of meltwater that had carved a deep blue gully.

From Literature

In short, carefully packaged and shiny this is not: at best it is a distraction for ministers, at worst a gushing torrent of awkwardness and embarrassment - and it is far from over yet.

From BBC

The new restrictions set off a torrent of protests throughout the country, which became the largest mass demonstrations in Poland since the 1989 anti-communist movement.

From Barron's

The floor rumbled underneath me as the very walls around us shuddered and creaked, sending torrents of rock dust down onto millions of dollars’ worth of equipment.

From Literature

Related Words

• cascade
• deluge
• downpour
• flood
• outburst
• spate
• stream
• tide
• waterfall