torsion
Americannoun
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the act of twisting.
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the state of being twisted.
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Mechanics.
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the twisting of a body by two equal and opposite torques.
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the internal torque so produced.
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Mathematics.
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the degree of departure of a curve from a plane.
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a number measuring this.
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noun
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the twisting of a part by application of equal and opposite torques at either end
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the condition of twist and shear stress produced by a torque on a part or component
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the act of twisting or the state of being twisted
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The stress on an object when torque is applied to it.
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A mathematical operation in geometry measuring how tightly a plane is twisted.
Other Word Forms
- torsional adjective
- torsionally adverb
Etymology
Origin of torsion
1375–1425; 1535–45 torsion for def. 1; late Middle English torcion wringing one's bowels < Old French torsion < Late Latin torsiōn- (stem of torsiō ) torment, equivalent to tors ( us ) twisted ( torse ) + -iōn- -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This torsion introduces a built-in rotation within the geometry itself.
From Science Daily • Dec. 15, 2025
There was nothing unusual in their collision, but a coincidence of torsion and tension ruptured Roigard’s patella tendon.
From BBC • Oct. 30, 2024
In the months after her surgery, the band that constricted her stomach slipped and she developed gastric torsion.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 24, 2023
The intestinal torsion meant the dolphin’s intestines had twisted so deeply in an area that made it impossible to reach through surgery.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 13, 2021
Crews of artillerists scurried around the machines, loading the slings, checking the torsion of the ropes.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.