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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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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


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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“But United Wholesale has a little bit more torque as a lower interest-rate play. And our price target for UWM represents a lot more upside.”

From Barron's

“But United Wholesale has a little bit more torque as a lower interest-rate play. And our price target for UWM represents a lot more upside.”

From Barron's

These days he owns his own tools, like specialized torque wrenches—required by Ford—that cost up to $800 apiece.

From The Wall Street Journal

The unique combination of instantaneous torque, lightweight powertrain and low center of gravity—due to the placement of those heavy batteries—means these vehicles have the potential to be something akin to street-legal Indy cars.

From The Wall Street Journal

It constantly adjusts the amount of torque to the wheels.

From MarketWatch