torque

[ tawrk ]

noun

1. Mechanics. something that produces or tends to produce torsion or rotation; the moment of a force or system of forces tending to cause rotation.
2. Machinery. the measured ability of a rotating element, as of a gear or shaft, to overcome turning resistance.
3. Optics. the rotational effect on plane-polarized light passing through certain liquids or crystals.
4. Also torc. a collar, necklace, or similar ornament consisting of a twisted narrow band, usually of precious metal, worn especially by the ancient Gauls and Britons.

verb (used with object)

, torqued, torqu·ing.

1. Machinery. to apply torque to (a nut, bolt, etc.).
2. to cause to rotate or twist.

verb (used without object)

, torqued, torqu·ing.

1. to rotate or twist.

torque

/ tɔːk /

noun

1. Alsotorc a necklace or armband made of twisted metal, worn esp by the ancient Britons and Gauls
2. any force or system of forces that causes or tends to cause rotation
3. the ability of a shaft to cause rotation

torque

/ tôrk /

1. The tendency of a force applied to an object to make it rotate about an axis. For a force applied at a single point, the magnitude of the torque is equal to the magnitude of the force multiplied by the distance from its point of application to an axis of rotation. Torque is also a vector quantity, equal to the vector product of the vector pointing from the axis to the point of application of force and the vector of force; torque thus points upward from a counterclockwise rotation.
2. See also angular momentum

Word History and Origins

Origin of torque¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from Latin torquēre “to twist”; torque def 4 is from French torque, from Latin torques “collar” (the spelling torc is perhaps from Irish, ultimately from Latin ); torques

Word History and Origins

Origin of torque¹

C19: from Latin torquēs necklace, and torquēre to twist

Example Sentences

That means the forces and torques on your knees and ankles are smaller, which could be particularly beneficial if you’ve got joint problems like osteoarthritis, or if you are older or overweight.

From Outside Online

The Hummer EV promises impressive numbers, including 1,000 total horsepower, 11,500 lb-ft of torque, and a 3-second 0-60 mph time.

From Popular-Science

All that torque and all those gears don’t seem bothered by the addition of relatively minimal weight and height.

From Outside Online

As with torque, watt-hours is an apples-to-apples comparison.

From Outside Online

Specs tell you a fair bit, but it’s worth noting that figures like power output, torque, and battery size are all moderated to some extent by the motor maker’s software.

From Outside Online

Without such prodding, the machine's wand simply doesn't have enough torque to move ice cream so formidable.

From The Daily Beast

“I think the show had lost a certain amount of torque,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

To fully feel the depth of the Russian humiliation, you would have to have witnessed the torque of its rev-up.

From The Daily Beast

At the top is shown the torque diagram of a single-cylinder motor of the four-cycle type.

From Project Gutenberg

A thumb-ring of gold round each man's thumb: an ear-tie of gold round each man's ear: a torque of silver round each man's throat.

From Project Gutenberg

The torque produced is proportional to the product of the air-gap flux per pole and the armature current.

From Project Gutenberg

To enable the motor to give a strong torque and run at a slow speed the number of poles in the field and armature is increased.

From Project Gutenberg

There are various devices by which the torque may be (approximately) got rid of.

From Project Gutenberg