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

And, that torque number is still unmatched by modern light-duty diesel engines. —Joel Feder, The Drive, 17 June 2026

The Corolla still pumps out 300 horsepower but engineers have increased torque to 302 lb-ft and sharpened the drivetrain to provide even more aggressive acceleration and improved response, making the GRMN version the most potent ever. —Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Verb

In a word, yes: the French Open can easily be torqued as an ideal advertisement for yourself. —Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026

During a 7-on-7 period with Mahomes, Royals torqued and fully extended his body to come back and make the catch, drawing a rise from the quarterback. —Pete Sweeney may 28, Kansas City Star, 28 May 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)