torque

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈtȯrk How to pronounce torque (audio)
Synonyms of torque
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The Street Glide 3 easily sits at 75 to 87 mph (120 to 140 km/h), and there’s enough torque, 126 lb-ft (171 Nm), to make passing slower things a breeze. — New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026 The hybrid system, which is connected to a seven-speed transaxle gearbox, pumps out 1,250 hp and 692 ft lbs of torque. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
The wealth of the richest Americans has torqued upward, bursting through the top of the graph, with no end in sight, completely untethered from the rest of the United States. — Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026 The composition of the wrist makes an injury extremely hard both to prevent and to treat, especially for people who play a sport that requires players to torque their wrists to help generate more topspin. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for torque

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of torque was in 1695

Phrases Containing torque

Rhymes for torque

See All Rhymes for torque

Browse Nearby Words

torquate
torque
torque arm
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Torque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torque. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

torque

1 of 2 noun
ˈtȯrk How to pronounce torque (audio)
: 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)

More from Merriam-Webster on torque

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for torque

Nglish: Translation of torque for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about torque

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