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
Court documents say several videos appear to show Niehaus using an accelerant, as well as a small, blow torch. Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Oct. 2025 Kering has also welcomed a new CEO, Luca de Meo, as François-Henri Pinault passes the torch to the Italian executive maintaining the role of chairman, and Francesca Bellettini has succeeded Stefano Cantino as CEO of Gucci, the brand Michele exited in 2022, now designed by Demna. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
In fewer than 48 hours, at least 22 people were killed and hundreds injured as demonstrators torched government buildings in the capital Kathmandu and toppled the prime minister. Kara Fox, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025 The two reminisce in their childhood bedroom over a joint and bond as siblings over their respective failures in life before torching the place. Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 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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