torch

1 of 2

noun

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

torch

2 of 2

verb

torched; torching; torches

transitive verb

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

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
Last year, the company did some research into Easter celebrations, discovering that more than 80% of folks opt for ham as their Easter meal and parents are now passing the hosting torch to their kids, specifically millennials. Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2024 Now, as more original YouTube creatives start to think about a life outside of filming 24/7, Kollman is hopeful that others can use Patrick’s path as a way to pass the torch to younger generations. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2024 The True Blood alum met with Howie Mandel, who hosted the original Deal or No Deal, to pass the torch — or, in this case, the briefcase. Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024 In November, David Axelrod, a former Obama Administration strategist, pressed Biden to consider passing the torch to the next generation. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024 To that end, the nieces have been working on passing the torch to Chantelle Abanilla, who is Alexandra’s great-niece, the granddaughter of Alex’s oldest sister, Marie. Anna Turning, NBC News, 17 Feb. 2024 Correspondent Conor Knighton talked with Deas about the process of painting portraits for the U.S. Postal Service; creating covers for Time magazine; and redesigning the female figure holding a torch who introduces films from Columbia Pictures. David Morgan, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2024 So, the torch is passed to the next generation, not through mere inheritance but by merit. Jarred Knecht, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 There is also a 92-foot-tall memorial torch in honor of late Raiders owner Al Davis. Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2024
Verb
After a quick qualifier win, Braverman torched #18 Blake and #26 Trujillo before grinding out a 3-game win over #13 Ava Ignatowich to reach the 16s. Todd Boss, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Long before those accolades, McCaffrey was torching the Colorado high school scene with a generational combination of speed, vision, balance and strength. Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2024 This swath of Penn Valley was devastated in 1988 by the 49er Fire, which torched 33,700 acres and 148 homes. Debbie Arrington, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 If the Chiefs front seven don’t do a better job stopping the quarterback from running, Jackson will torch them. Usa Today Sports, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024 Robertson was just 4-of-16 shooting, good for 18 points, in that setback after torching KU the previous game. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2024 Recall that Diggs torched the Dolphins with six receptions for 120 yards and three touchdowns in Buffalo’s 48-20 pounding of Miami in Week 4. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2024 All of this means Allen and the passing attack figure to be eager and ready for the Chargers, who have been torched through the air repeatedly in 2023. Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2023 Here’s one of them: Finding a way to keep their linebackers from being torched in pass coverage. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'torch.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of torch was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near torch

Cite this Entry

“Torch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torch. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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
: 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

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