torch

1 of 2

noun

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

torch

2 of 2

verb

torched; torching; torches

transitive verb

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Nurse Christine Chapel has been away for three months, and Mr Spock is still carrying a torch for his ex-girlfriend. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 18 July 2025 This is our moment to carry the torch, continue the legacy of John Lewis and pass it forward to future generations. Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Verb
While most of the fire has burned across eastern Utah, more than 1,800 acres of Colorado land have been torched. Katie Langford, Denver Post, 19 July 2025 But then a dangerous shift in the weather occurred, turning the seemingly low-risk fire into a fast-moving blaze that jumped containment lines and torched dozens of buildings in the park over the weekend, including a historic lodge. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for torch

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of torch was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Torch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torch. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on torch

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