torque

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈtȯrk 

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

Both Sasquatches have a twin-clutch rear-drive unit that can handle 40% of total engine torque and shift all that to either rear wheel, a capability that came in handy when one wheel dangled in the air negotiating rocky desert trails. —Mark Phelan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

The electric motor adds 184 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque, giving the plug-in hybrid strong responsiveness. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025

Verb

Incorrectly torqued glands, fluctuating insulation jackets or incompatible connector inserts lead to failure points. —Joern Hackbarth, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025

Game 2 saw the physicality torqued up, and Toronto match Florida for hits. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing torque

• torque converter

Rhymes for torque

• bork
• dork
• fork
• pork
• stork
• pitchfork

Medical Definition

torque

1 of 2 noun

ˈtȯrk 

: 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)