torrent

[ tawr-uhnt, tor- ]

noun

1. a stream of water flowing with great rapidity and violence.
2. a rushing, violent, or abundant and unceasing stream of anything:

   a torrent of lava.

3. a violent downpour of rain.
4. a violent, tumultuous, or overwhelming flow:

   a torrent of abuse.

   Synonyms: spate, flood, deluge, outburst

adjective

1. torrential.

torrent

/ ˈtɒrənt /

noun

1. a fast, voluminous, or violent stream of water or other liquid
2. an overwhelming flow of thoughts, words, sound, etc
3. computing a file that controls the transfer of data in a BitTorrent system See BitTorrent

adjective

1. rare.
   like or relating to a torrent

Word History and Origins

Origin of torrent¹

1595–1605; < Latin torrent- (stem of torrēns ) seething, literally, burning, present participle of torrēre to burn, parch; torrid, -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of torrent¹

C17: from French, from Latin torrēns (noun), from torrēns (adjective) burning, from torrēre to burn

Example Sentences

There has been a torrent of allegations against the late billionaire businessman since a BBC documentary in September broadcast the claims of 20 women.

From BBC

In spring of last year, two trans athletes withdrew from state high school track-and-field finals after facing a torrent of online and in-person vitriol for their participation in women’s track events.

From Los Angeles Times

When the torrent hit the cement bridge that connected the two parts of the village, it turned it to rubble.

From BBC

And there it was, the creeping inevitability that became a torrent.

From Salon

Jonathan explained to us how the raging torrent had scooped up trucks parked next door to the Matías family home with one smashing through an external wall.

From BBC

Related Words

• cascade
• deluge
• downpour
• flood
• outburst
• spate
• stream
• tide
• waterfall