torch

¹ American  

[tawrch] / tɔrtʃ /

noun

torches plural

1. a light to be carried in the hand, consisting of some combustible substance, as resinous wood, or of twisted flax or the like soaked with tallow or other flammable substance, ignited at the upper end.

2. something considered as a source of illumination, enlightenment, guidance, etc..

   the torch of learning.

3. any of various lamplike devices that produce a hot flame and are used for soldering, burning off paint, etc.

4. Slang. an arsonist.

5. Chiefly British. flashlight.

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verb (used without object)

1. to burn or flare up like a torch.

verb (used with object)

1. to subject to the flame or light of a torch, as in order to burn, sear, solder, or illuminate.

2. Slang. to set fire to maliciously, especially in order to collect insurance.

idioms

1. carry the / a torch for, to be in love with, especially to suffer from unrequited love for.

   He still carries a torch for his ex-wife.

torch ² American  

[tawrch] / tɔrtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. Masonry. to point (the joints between roofing slates) with a mixture of lime and hair.

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torch British  

/ tɔːtʃ /

noun

1. US and Canadian word: flashlight.  a small portable electric lamp powered by one or more dry batteries

2. a wooden or tow shaft dipped in wax or tallow and set alight

3. anything regarded as a source of enlightenment, guidance, etc

   the torch of evangelism

4. any apparatus that burns with a hot flame for welding, brazing, or soldering

5. to be in love with, esp unrequitedly

6. to set fire to; burn down

   the looted monastery was put to the torch

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verb

1. slang (tr) to set fire to, esp deliberately as an act of arson

torch More Idioms  

1. see carry a torch; pass the torch.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• torchable
  adjective
• torchless
  adjective
• torchlike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• torches
  plural

Etymology

Origin of torch¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun torch(e), from Old French torche, torque, from Vulgar Latin torca (unattested) “something twisted”; see origin at torque

Origin of torch²

First recorded in 1850–60; from French torcher “to plaster with a mixture of clay and chopped straw,” derivative of torche “a twist of straw”; see also torch ¹

Explanation

A torch is a handheld light. Although flashlights are sometimes called "torches," technically a torch has a burning flame. Torch can also be used as a verb indicating that something has been purposely set on fire. For example, arsonists have been known to torch empty buildings just for fun. This meaning dates to 1931. The noun form of torch has been around a lot longer. In the late 13th century torch came into English from the Old French word torche, or "twisted thing," which was a piece of wax-dipped rope.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

torch torches

“I accept the responsibility to help carry the torch and move it forward, and hand it off to the Jennie Finches and the Cat Ostermans,” Fernandez said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026

In neighbouring Bangladesh, students gave a call for a "torch rally" on Thursday evening to express their solidarity for protesters in Delhi.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

When Argentina gave the trophy back to Spain, it likely marked a passing of the torch.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

The Statue of Liberty, the copper-clad sculpture of a robed and crowned woman holding a torch above her head, sits in New York's harbor and draws millions of visitors each year.

From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026

I don’t know how far he got, how many of the iron belts he managed to sever, before a spark from the torch made it into the tank.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Instead of working with a massive furnace, participants use small torches, making the process feel more approachable and easier to control.

From Salon ● Jun. 11, 2026

Finally, two Olympic torches were lit two Olympic cauldrons, in Milan and Cortina, their flames at the center of shape-shifting spheres.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 2026

"It's so brilliant to be in that galley and watch the torches go around, there is just not enough words to describe it," he added.

From BBC ● Jan. 27, 2026

The situation is particularly acute in the capital, Kyiv, where blackouts had, until late last year, largely been a bearable annoyance that residents could weather with power banks, candles and battery-powered torches.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 26, 2026

In the stone’s glow, Anya could make out unlit sconces every few feet, where there could be torches if needed.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack

Related Words

• beacon
• lamp
• lantern