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

Snoop Dogg was all over people's television screens during the Paris Olympics including being a commentator, carrying the torch and even dancing from the stands with gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles. —Anthony Robledo, The Courier-Journal, 23 Sep. 2024

While many have been moved by Biden’s selfless decision to pass the torch to a younger generation, Michaels doesn’t seem to be letting the choices of others influence his own plans for retirement. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 21 Sep. 2024

Verb

That same month, an angry group of people in Chinatown torched a Waymo car in the middle of a Chinese New Year celebration. —Kristin J. Bender, The Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2024

That defense is still terrible, however, and could get torched in this matchup, especially with those vulnerable corners. —Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024

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

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