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

That torque is routed to just the rear wheels in the 740, and to all four wheels in the 740 xDrive. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2026

The humanoid features 22 high-torque XRS-series servos, delivering strong and precise movement across its body—covering the head, shoulders, arms, hands, legs, and feet. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026

Verb

Letourneau was able to collect it and torque his 6-foot-7 frame to pull it to his forehand and lift it over Muszelik at 5:09. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026

The movement is largely conventional (lots of traditional ballet tricks for the men), but there is also a distinctive twisting, a wind-up torquing through the spine and torso, which the dancers ingeniously unravel. —Jennifer Homans, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026

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)