# torsion

/ˈtɔɹʃən/ (US) · /tˈɔːʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/torsion
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

the act of twisting something, or the force that causes it to twist. You might see this in a car's steering system or in a bone that has been broken by a sudden turn.

For teachers: the act of twisting or the state of being twisted; the twisting force applied to an object. In a medical context, it refers to the twisting of a body part, such as a limb or organ, often resulting in injury.

## Examples

- The car's steering wheel has a lot of torsion.
- The surgeon had to realign the patient's ankle after a severe torsion caused by a sudden twist during the accident.
- In structural engineering, torsion is a critical factor in the design of bridges and buildings, as it describes the twisting stress that occurs when a load is applied off-center.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.