: the twisting or wrenching of a body by the exertion of forces tending to turn one end or part about a longitudinal axis while the other is held fast or turned in the opposite direction
also: the state of being twisted
2
: the twisting of a bodily organ or part on its own axis
3
: the reactive torque that an elastic solid exerts by reason of being under torsion
Recent Examples on the WebBecause ovaries enlarge during IVF, there’s risk that physical activity could lead to ovarian torsion, or twisting, a rare but dangerous condition that could require surgery and lead to loss of the ovary. Lindsay Schnell, USA TODAY, 19 Aug. 2022 This is thanks to the Civic's multilink rear suspension, which replaces the torsion-beam setup of the previous generation. Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, 21 June 2022 The base, non-GLI Jetta has a similar strut-type front suspension yet makes do with a torsion beam at the rear, and its chassis is softly sprung. Joe Lorio, Car and Driver, 6 May 2022 Ovarian torsion can risk the survival of an ovary and if it is not identified and treated quickly can result in loss of that ovary. Vicky Spratt, refinery29.com, 4 Apr. 2022 Underneath, though, the changes were more drastic, with coil springs replacing the torsion bars found on earlier models, and essentials like power steering and ABS making an appearance for the first time. Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver, 1 Apr. 2022 Some people were writing a new mathematics using torsion.Quanta Magazine, 23 Feb. 2022 Unlike plastic trays, which dispense ingots of ice only with rigorous torsion and cracking, silicone ice cube molds promised to produce geometrically perfect, clear ice cubes with little effort.Bon Appétit, 13 Jan. 2022 This process will vary slightly depending on if the door uses torsion springs (mounted on the header above the door) or extension springs (above the upper roller track). Alicia Chilton, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
Late Latin torsion-, torsio torment, alteration of Latin tortio, from torquēre to twist