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

The most impressive of these looks to be the P12 AWD Electric, which will make 670 hp and 583 ft lbs of torque, according to Car and Driver. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026

Engineered to closely replicate human hand function, each hand is equipped with fingertip sensors and force-torque sensing at every joint. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026

Verb

High-mix, low-volume tasks – such as loading fixtures, torquing brackets, or handling fragile components – become feasible without human oversight at every step. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 25 Nov. 2025

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