torch

1 of 2

noun

ˈtȯrch 

often attributive

1

: a burning stick of resinous wood or twist of tow used to give light and usually carried in the hand : flambeau

2

: something (such as tradition, wisdom, or knowledge) likened to a torch as giving light or guidance

pass the torch to the next generation

3

: any of various portable devices for emitting an unusually hot flame compare blowtorch

4

chiefly British : flashlight sense 1

5

: incendiary sense 2b

torch

2 of 2

verb

torched; torching; torches

transitive verb

: to set fire to with or as if with a torch

Synonyms

Noun

• arsonist
• firebug
• incendiary

Verb

• burn
• enkindle
• fire
• ignite
• inflame
• enflame
• kindle
• light

Examples of torch in a Sentence

Noun

several suspicious fires in the past few months have probably been set by the same torch

Verb

An arsonist torched the building.

police suspect that the owner torched the house for the insurance money

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But now, he’s officially retired and has passed the torch to his two longtime colleagues: Monique Kielar, vice president of marketing, apparel, and Danielle Owen, vice president of sales, for the Chicago Merchandise Mart, which runs the show. —Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 31 Jan. 2025

Older Legionnaires talk about how the younger generation isn’t there to receive the torch; much of the town’s housing is expensive, in bad shape, or both. —Chelsea Edgar, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2025

Verb

The finale 45 seconds are a headlong rush of hectic imagery, including Anima pouring gas in a home as if to torch it as Abel gets more and more freaked out by the chaos around him. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 4 Feb. 2025

The Airport fire, which destroyed 160 structures, torched a path through the Santa Ana Mountains and burned up to Santiago Peak, which at an elevation of nearly 6,000 feet above sea level is the highest point in Orange County. —Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English torche, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *torca, alteration of Latin torqua something twisted, collar of twisted metal, alteration of torques; akin to Latin torquēre to twist — more at torture entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1901, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing torch

• carry a torch
• carry the torch
• pass the torch (on)
• plasma torch
• torch singer
• torch song

Kids Definition

torch

noun

ˈtȯ(ə)rch

1

: a flaming light made of something that burns brightly and usually is carried in the hand

2

: something that guides or gives light or heat like a torch

3

: any of various portable devices for producing a hot flame compare blowtorch

4

chiefly British : flashlight

Medical Definition

TORCH

noun

ˈtȯrch 

: a group of pathological agents that cause similar symptoms in newborns and that include especially a toxoplasma (Toxoplasma gonii), cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and the togavirus causing German measles

Etymology

Noun

toxoplasma, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus