torch

1 of 2

noun

ˈtȯrch 

often attributive

1

: a burning stick of resinous wood or twist of tow used to give light and usually carried in the hand : flambeau

2

: something (such as tradition, wisdom, or knowledge) likened to a torch as giving light or guidance

pass the torch to the next generation

3

: any of various portable devices for emitting an unusually hot flame compare blowtorch

4

chiefly British : flashlight sense 1

5

: incendiary sense 2b

torch

2 of 2

verb

torched; torching; torches

transitive verb

: to set fire to with or as if with a torch

Synonyms

Noun

• arsonist
• firebug
• incendiary

Verb

• burn
• enkindle
• fire
• ignite
• inflame
• enflame
• kindle
• light

Examples of torch in a Sentence

Noun

several suspicious fires in the past few months have probably been set by the same torch

Verb

An arsonist torched the building.

police suspect that the owner torched the house for the insurance money

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Both 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple were shot back to back, so in order to make both movies happen so quickly, Boyle passed the torch to Candyman and The Marvels director Nia DaCosta. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 24 June 2025

The pair have developed a relationship; arguably the closest Frenchman to winning the Tour de France in the last two decades passing the torch to the nation’s latest hope. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 18 June 2025

Verb

Of course, every team in the league knows what Clark wants to do by now, and actually stopping her from torching defenses with generational shotmaking is another matter entirely. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 20 June 2025

The 90-year-old cleric was at Gloria Molina Grand Park on June 8, the day protesters torched Waymo cars, just blocks away from the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English torche, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *torca, alteration of Latin torqua something twisted, collar of twisted metal, alteration of torques; akin to Latin torquēre to twist — more at torture entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1901, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing torch

• carry a torch
• carry the torch
• pass the torch (on)
• plasma torch
• torch singer
• torch song

Rhymes for torch

• porch
• scorch

Kids Definition

torch

noun

ˈtȯ(ə)rch

1

: a flaming light made of something that burns brightly and usually is carried in the hand

2

: something that guides or gives light or heat like a torch

3

: any of various portable devices for producing a hot flame compare blowtorch

4

chiefly British : flashlight

Medical Definition

TORCH

noun

ˈtȯrch 

: a group of pathological agents that cause similar symptoms in newborns and that include especially a toxoplasma (Toxoplasma gonii), cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and the togavirus causing German measles

Etymology

Noun

toxoplasma, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus