Torfaen

[tawr-vahyn, tawr-vahyn]

noun

1. a county in southeastern Wales. 49 sq. mi. (126 sq. km).

Torfaen

/ ˈtɔːˌvæn /

noun

1. a county borough of SE Wales, created in 1996 from part of Gwent. Administrative centre: Pontypool. Pop: 90 700 (2003 est). Area: 290 sq km (112 sq miles)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Torfaen¹

From Welsh Torfaen “Breaker of Stones,” the former name of the Afon Lwyd (Gray River), from tor “a break” + faen (mutated form of maen “stone”; dolmen ( def. ), menhir ( def. ) ); compare Welsh tormaen “saxifrage,” literally, “stone break”

Example Sentences

The child's coach at Croesyceiliog Athletic FC in Cwmbran, Torfaen, said dog waste left on parks and pitches was a "massive concern", and is working with Torfaen council to tackle the issue.

From BBC

He said Torfaen council had sent enforcement officers to the site and asked the club to log incidents of dog fouling as part of a wider local campaign with other organisations.

From BBC

Torfaen council said working in collaboration with the football club and others would help it to "plan more targeted visits and act as a deterrent to irresponsible owners", although it admitted no fixed penalty notices had been issued so far in 2025.

From BBC

Eighteen-year-olds in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney and neighbouring Torfaen are far less likely to go on to higher education than those in some other parts of Wales.

From BBC

Labour ministers and Torfaen politicians Lynne Neagle and Nick Thomas-Symonds said they were still hearing complaints about Pontypool Medical Centre, one of the company's three remaining surgeries in the health board area.

From BBC