Torch
noun
A stick with a light at one end that is burning.
She held up a torch so we could see in the darkness
Often appears as...
- carry a torch
- hold a torch
verb
To burn or set on fire.
The protesters torched the police car
Often appears as...
- torch a car
- torch a building
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A flashlight, an electrical light that is easy to carry.
Shine the torch to find the key
Often appears as...
- flash a torch
- lost my torch
noun
A symbol of enlightenment or guidance.
She was a torch of hope in our struggle for freedom
Often appears as...
- torch of freedom
- torch of knowledge
Usage tips
Symbolic
verb
To shine a light on.
He torched the area with his flashlight
Often appears as...
- torch the hallway
- torch the basement
noun
A stick with a light at one end that is burning.
She held up a torch so we could see in the darkness
Often appears as...
- carry a torch
- hold a torch
verb
To burn or set on fire.
The protesters torched the police car
Often appears as...
- torch a car
- torch a building
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A flashlight, an electrical light that is easy to carry.
Shine the torch to find the key
Often appears as...
- flash a torch
- lost my torch
noun
A symbol of enlightenment or guidance.
She was a torch of hope in our struggle for freedom
Often appears as...
- torch of freedom
- torch of knowledge
Usage tips
Symbolic
verb
To shine a light on.
He torched the area with his flashlight
Often appears as...
- torch the hallway
- torch the basement
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/2Historical Context
Traditional torches evoke historical or primitive settings; think of caves, castles, or old rituals.
The ancient castle walls were lined with flaming torches.
Pro Tip 2/2Light Source
A burning torch can symbolize the only light source, showing a lack of modern technology.
In the blackout, our only light was a single, flickering torch.
Pro Tip 1/2Historical Context
Traditional torches evoke historical or primitive settings; think of caves, castles, or old rituals.
The ancient castle walls were lined with flaming torches.
Pro Tip 2/2Light Source
A burning torch can symbolize the only light source, showing a lack of modern technology.
In the blackout, our only light was a single, flickering torch.
Pro Tip 1/2Historical Context
Traditional torches evoke historical or primitive settings; think of caves, castles, or old rituals.
The ancient castle walls were lined with flaming torches.
Pro Tip 2/2Light Source
A burning torch can symbolize the only light source, showing a lack of modern technology.
In the blackout, our only light was a single, flickering torch.
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Video examples
A one-man musical...
The power is now in the hands of the creator, as I'm sure you guys would agree, as opposed to the big record company executive or the big man or something like that. It's somebody with a good idea. Here I am at TED saying this to you guys who know this already, but it's somebody with a good idea who can sow that seed. That's the person who carries the torch into the world.
Video examples
The Power of Water PIPE...
to help me out there I need some things I need I need a glass container I need a glove a nice blowtorch or something you like you ain't with us man go go go six okay okay I'm here I'm guys I could nap right that's fine oh I got a torch okay right now work yes that's perfect I got gloves for see good and I need some
Video examples
The lie that invented...
And notice I said, "What's up with us white people?" because right now, I'm not talking about those white people, the ones with the swastikas and the hoods and the tiki torches. They are a problem and a threat. They perpetrate most of the terrorism in our country,
Video examples
Barat Ali Batoor: My...
We went on the deck and turned our torches on and off to attract the attention of any passing boat. We kept trying to attract their attention by waving our life jackets and whistling. Eventually, we made it to a small island. Our boat crashing onto the rocks,
Video examples
Returning to Fukushima PIPE...
To honor the region, the torch relay will begin in Fukushima. So I've been in Fukushima for a few days now. And it seems that with every tragic story, there's also a story about hope, and people really trying and fighting to bring this place back to life.
Video examples
Why are these 32 symbols...
And in this surreal, otherworldly place, it's almost possible to imagine that you hear the muffled footfall of skin boots on soft earth, or that you see the flickering of a torch around the next bend. When I'm in a cave,
Video examples
How fire shapes...
constructive agents using fire to make a more habitable world so let's go back to the fundamentals fire in the living world ourselves as holders of the torch two narratives prevail one is the
Video examples
Filming Flying Squirrels...
one of the most unusual things about these squirrels is that they fluoresce under uv light so when you think you see a glimpse of one you can turn a torch on and then they shine bright pink
Video examples
Who's Your Daddy? PIPE...
he's playing with this we gotta play the game you know the first and my whole life since daddy is nearing retirement he's preparing to pass the torch to a new generation and actually
Video examples
"New Colossus" by Emma...
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
Video examples
A one-man musical...
The power is now in the hands of the creator, as I'm sure you guys would agree, as opposed to the big record company executive or the big man or something like that. It's somebody with a good idea. Here I am at TED saying this to you guys who know this already, but it's somebody with a good idea who can sow that seed. That's the person who carries the torch into the world.
Video examples
The Power of Water PIPE...
to help me out there I need some things I need I need a glass container I need a glove a nice blowtorch or something you like you ain't with us man go go go six okay okay I'm here I'm guys I could nap right that's fine oh I got a torch okay right now work yes that's perfect I got gloves for see good and I need some
Video examples
The lie that invented...
And notice I said, "What's up with us white people?" because right now, I'm not talking about those white people, the ones with the swastikas and the hoods and the tiki torches. They are a problem and a threat. They perpetrate most of the terrorism in our country,
Video examples
Barat Ali Batoor: My...
We went on the deck and turned our torches on and off to attract the attention of any passing boat. We kept trying to attract their attention by waving our life jackets and whistling. Eventually, we made it to a small island. Our boat crashing onto the rocks,
Video examples
Returning to Fukushima PIPE...
To honor the region, the torch relay will begin in Fukushima. So I've been in Fukushima for a few days now. And it seems that with every tragic story, there's also a story about hope, and people really trying and fighting to bring this place back to life.
Video examples
Why are these 32 symbols...
And in this surreal, otherworldly place, it's almost possible to imagine that you hear the muffled footfall of skin boots on soft earth, or that you see the flickering of a torch around the next bend. When I'm in a cave,
Video examples
How fire shapes...
constructive agents using fire to make a more habitable world so let's go back to the fundamentals fire in the living world ourselves as holders of the torch two narratives prevail one is the
Video examples
Filming Flying Squirrels...
one of the most unusual things about these squirrels is that they fluoresce under uv light so when you think you see a glimpse of one you can turn a torch on and then they shine bright pink
Video examples
Who's Your Daddy? PIPE...
he's playing with this we gotta play the game you know the first and my whole life since daddy is nearing retirement he's preparing to pass the torch to a new generation and actually
Video examples
"New Colossus" by Emma...
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Carlene Carter
American Musician
My grandma passed in '78, and that's the year I started recording. It's also the year that my dad retired from his career. So it's funny how torches get passed on, and you feel a responsibility to be connected to the music that they did and try to carry it on in your own way.
Quote examples
Lucretius
Roman Poet
Thus the sum of things is ever being reviewed, and mortals dependent one upon another. Some nations increase, others diminish, and in a short space the generations of living creatures are changed and like runners pass on the torch of life.
Quote examples
John F. Kennedy
American President
Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans - born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace.
Quote examples
Robert Green Ingersoll
American Lawyer
The great poets have sympathized with the people. They have uttered in all ages the human cry. Unbought by gold, unawed by power, they have lifted high the torch that illuminates the world.
Quote examples
Christian Coleman
American Athlete
To be looked up to as one of the Americans that's supposed to carry the torch, go to the major championships and get medals, that's a huge honour.
Quote examples
Louis Pasteur
French Scientist
Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world.
Quote examples
Stephen Hawking
English Physicist
Scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery in our quest for knowledge.
Quote examples
Mel Brooks
American Comedian
I don't have a mission. I don't have a torch to burn.
Quote examples
William Hamilton
Scottish Politician
Truth, like a torch, the more it's shook it shines.
Quote examples
Joan Jett
American Musician
I feel like it's my job to carry the torch.
Quote examples
Carlene Carter
American Musician
My grandma passed in '78, and that's the year I started recording. It's also the year that my dad retired from his career. So it's funny how torches get passed on, and you feel a responsibility to be connected to the music that they did and try to carry it on in your own way.
Quote examples
Lucretius
Roman Poet
Thus the sum of things is ever being reviewed, and mortals dependent one upon another. Some nations increase, others diminish, and in a short space the generations of living creatures are changed and like runners pass on the torch of life.
Quote examples
John F. Kennedy
American President
Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans - born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace.
Quote examples
Robert Green Ingersoll
American Lawyer
The great poets have sympathized with the people. They have uttered in all ages the human cry. Unbought by gold, unawed by power, they have lifted high the torch that illuminates the world.
Quote examples
Christian Coleman
American Athlete
To be looked up to as one of the Americans that's supposed to carry the torch, go to the major championships and get medals, that's a huge honour.
Quote examples
Louis Pasteur
French Scientist
Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world.
Quote examples
Stephen Hawking
English Physicist
Scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery in our quest for knowledge.
Quote examples
Mel Brooks
American Comedian
I don't have a mission. I don't have a torch to burn.
Quote examples
William Hamilton
Scottish Politician
Truth, like a torch, the more it's shook it shines.
Quote examples
Joan Jett
American Musician
I feel like it's my job to carry the torch.
Example 1 of 10
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