torsion

UK: /ˈtɔː^rʃ^ən/ US: /ˈtɔrʃən/ ,(tôr′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

tor•sion /ˈtɔrʃən/   n. [uncountable]

1. the act of twisting or the state of being twisted.

tor•sion•al, adj. See -tort-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

tor•sion  (tôr′shən), n. 

1. the act of twisting.
2. the state of being twisted.
3. [Mech.]
   • the twisting of a body by two equal and opposite torques.
   • the internal torque so produced.
4. [Math.]
   • the degree of departure of a curve from a plane.
   • a number measuring this.

• Late Latin torsiōn- (stem of torsiō) torment, equivalent. to tors(us) twisted (see torse) + -iōn- -ion
• Old French torsion
• 1375–1425; 1535–45 for def. 1.; late Middle English torcion wringing one's bowels

tor ′sion•al, adj. 
tor ′sion•al•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

torsion / ˈtɔːʃən/ noun

1. the twisting of a part by application of equal and opposite torques at either end
2. the condition of twist and shear stress produced by a torque on a part or component
3. the act of twisting or the state of being twisted

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French, from medical Latin torsiō griping pains, from Latin torquēre to twist, torture

ˈtorsional adjective

ˈtorsionally adverb