torrent

[tawr-uhnt, tor-]

noun

1. a stream of water flowing with great rapidity and violence.

2. a rushing, violent, or abundant and unceasing stream of anything.

   a torrent of lava.

3. a violent downpour of rain.

4. a violent, tumultuous, or overwhelming flow.

   a torrent of abuse.

   Synonyms: spate, flood, deluge, outburst

adjective

1. torrential.

torrent

/ ˈtɒrənt /

noun

1. a fast, voluminous, or violent stream of water or other liquid

2. an overwhelming flow of thoughts, words, sound, etc

3. computing a file that controls the transfer of data in a BitTorrent system See BitTorrent

adjective

1. rare,  like or relating to a torrent

Word History and Origins

Origin of torrent¹

1595–1605; < Latin torrent- (stem of torrēns ) seething, literally, burning, present participle of torrēre to burn, parch; torrid, -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of torrent¹

C17: from French, from Latin torrēns (noun), from torrēns (adjective) burning, from torrēre to burn

Example Sentences

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee and allied pro-Israel PACs reward loyalty with torrents of campaign cash and punish dissent with lavishly funded primary challenges.

From Los Angeles Times

According to locals, a sudden torrent of water came surging through Bishnoi, "bringing huge rocks with it and crushing buildings in its path, destroying the entire village".

From BBC

For Sturgeon, the coronavirus pandemic which struck the world five years ago still provokes "a torrent of emotion".

From BBC

If this seems like a torrent of bad news, the book also raises some deeper questions about what lies behind Prince Andrew's character.

From BBC

Mr Weaver said he could see one of the group had managed to grab on to a rock while one of the Spanish nationals had been swept into the torrent and was being carried away.

From BBC

Related Words

• cascade 
• deluge 
• downpour 
• flood 
• outburst 
• spate 
• stream 
• tide 
• waterfall