torque

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
: a force that produces or tends to produce rotation or torsion
an automobile engine delivers torque to the drive shaft
also : a measure of the effectiveness of such a force that consists of the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to the axis of rotation
2
: a turning or twisting force

torque

2 of 3

verb

torqued; torquing

transitive verb

: to impart torque to : cause to twist (as about an axis)
torquer noun

torque

3 of 3

noun (2)

variants or torc
: a usually metal collar or neck chain worn by the ancient Gauls, Germans, and Britons

Examples of torque in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Its 740 hp and 738 ft lbs of torque probably isn’t going to disappoint anyone, though. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 May 2024 This advanced software, in conjunction with the E-Motion™ multiple sensors, is pivotal in managing the electric boating experience, offering precision and control over the motor's impressive torque capabilities, which are crucial for optimizing performance, safety, and enjoyability for users. Kansas City Star, 7 May 2024 The first has that headline $4,400 price tag and is powered by a 20-kW (27-horsepower) motor with 85 Nm (63 ft-lbs) of torque and fed by a tiny 9.98-kWh battery. Alistair Charlton, WIRED, 5 May 2024 Mercedes-Benz charged the same amount, but annually, to improve the horsepower and torque of the EQE and EQS. Wes Davis, The Verge, 5 May 2024 With 9x the torque of our X-Series and seamless compatibility with the HEBI ecosystem for robot development, the H-Series opens a new world of possibilities for robots. IEEE Spectrum, 3 May 2024 Rated at 540 horsepower, 521 pound-feet of torque 0-60 in 4.6 seconds; 0-100 mph in 11.7 seconds Quarter mile in 13.1 seconds at 105 mph Top speed of 118 mph MPG of 15 (city), 21 (highway), 17 (combined) Max towing of 8,380 pounds; max payload of 1,520 pounds Up to 32 inches of water fording. Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 25 Apr. 2024 The performance trim of the company’s top-selling electric sedan will get 510 horsepower and 741 Nm of torque — a step above the 470 horsepower that was achievable in the 2019 performance trim — and can hit a top speed of 163 mph. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 23 Apr. 2024 The new system distributes wheel slip management to each individual electric motor, reducing torque reaction from 100 milliseconds to a single millisecond giving drivers even more control over icy and slippery conditions. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024
Verb
Headrests flew away, and frames were torqued on two seats, Homendy said. Gisele Lamarre, NBC News, 9 Jan. 2024 But an alternative is that Mimas' rocky core is oddly shaped, creating an opportunity for the gravitational pull of Saturn and the other moons to torque it somewhat differently each orbit. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2024 Hubble uses spinning reaction wheels to torque the spacecraft in large movements from one direction to another. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023 Tork torques his torque Of course, not all the stats for the Tigers are bad. Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 24 Apr. 2023 Yeah, these wheel guns are a cut above your average impact wrench that your local mechanic uses to torque your wheel lugs within an inch of their life. Matt Crisara, Popular Mechanics, 30 Mar. 2023 Dabiri says there is reason to expect the opposite, since wakes often hit rotors unevenly, torquing their components. IEEE Spectrum, 14 Mar. 2023 But in some cases the bolt that holds the steering wheel in place might not have been properly torqued. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2023 Power is increased marginally, as well, from 402 hp (300 kW) to 416 hp (310 kW), and torque a little more substantially from 486 lb-ft (660 Nm) to 546 lb-ft (740 Nm). Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'torque.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Latin torquēre to twist

Noun (2)

French, from Latin torques, from torquēre to twist — more at torture entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1959, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1695, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of torque was in 1695

Dictionary Entries Near torque

Cite this Entry

“Torque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torque. Accessed 14 May. 2024.

Medical Definition

torque

1 of 2 noun
: a force that produces or tends to produce rotation or torsion
also : a measure of the effectiveness of such a force that consists of the product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to the axis of rotation

torque

2 of 2 transitive verb
torqued; torquing
: to impart torque to : cause to twist (as a tooth about its long axis)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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