plural tori
ˈtȯr-ˌī 
-ˌē
1
: a large molding of convex profile commonly occurring as the lowest molding in the base of a column
2
: the thickening of a membrane closing a wood-cell pit (as of gymnosperm tracheids) having the secondary cell wall arched over the pit cavity
3
: a doughnut-shaped surface generated by a circle rotated about an axis in its plane that does not intersect the circle
broadly
: toroid
4
: a smooth rounded anatomical protuberance (such as a bony ridge on the skull)
Examples of torus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Next, map the circle onto the two-dimensional surface of an inner tube (a one-holed torus).
—
Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 22 Aug. 2023
Consider the surface of a doughnut, or torus — a two-dimensional manifold.
—Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 15 June 2023
The stator converts its thrust force and torque into longitudinal and meridian motions of the torus wheel, respectively, making the torus work as an omnidirectional wheel on a plane.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Aug. 2022
What’s more, some AGN have a dusty torus, the geometric equivalent of a donut, in the same plane as their accretion disk, but much, much bigger and thicker.
—Summer Ash, Discover Magazine, 16 July 2018
The torus itself spans only about 20 light-years, an extremely small region of space compared with the larger galaxy M77.
—Alison Klesman, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2018
But the torus proved tricky.
—Nicola Chilton, CNN, 20 June 2022
However, the mastoid processes and large, and the back of the skull does not show the angulated occipital bone and strong transverse torus found in large H. heidelbergensis individuals.
—Julia Musto, Fox News, 26 June 2021
This instrument made observations of the torus in Cygnus A possible for the first time, Lopez-Rodriguez explained.
—Chelsea Gohd, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2018
See More
Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 22 Aug. 2023
Consider the surface of a doughnut, or torus — a two-dimensional manifold.
—Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 15 June 2023
The stator converts its thrust force and torque into longitudinal and meridian motions of the torus wheel, respectively, making the torus work as an omnidirectional wheel on a plane.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Aug. 2022
What’s more, some AGN have a dusty torus, the geometric equivalent of a donut, in the same plane as their accretion disk, but much, much bigger and thicker.
—Summer Ash, Discover Magazine, 16 July 2018
The torus itself spans only about 20 light-years, an extremely small region of space compared with the larger galaxy M77.
—Alison Klesman, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2018
But the torus proved tricky.
—Nicola Chilton, CNN, 20 June 2022
However, the mastoid processes and large, and the back of the skull does not show the angulated occipital bone and strong transverse torus found in large H. heidelbergensis individuals.
—Julia Musto, Fox News, 26 June 2021
This instrument made observations of the torus in Cygnus A possible for the first time, Lopez-Rodriguez explained.
—Chelsea Gohd, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2018
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'torus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Latin, protuberance, bulge, torus molding
First Known Use
1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near torus
Cite this Entry
“Torus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torus. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Medical Definition
torus
noun
to·rus
ˈtōr-əs, ˈtȯr-
plural tori
ˈtō(ə)r-ˌī
ˈtȯ(ə)r-
ˈtȯ(ə)r-
-ˌē
1
: a doughnut-shaped surface generated by a circle rotated about an axis in its plane that does not intersect the circle
2
: a smooth rounded anatomical protuberance (as a bony ridge on the skull)
a supraorbital torus
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