A torrent is a violently rushing stream of water, like when a river swells after heavy rain and charges downstream with tremendous force. During a storm, water might pour off a mountainside in torrents, carrying rocks and debris. Flash floods create torrents powerful enough to sweep away cars.

When rain falls in torrents, it's not a gentle drizzle but a downpour so heavy you can barely see through it.

People also use torrent to describe any overwhelming rush or flood of something. A speaker might face a torrent of questions from an eager audience. After winning the championship, a team might receive a torrent of congratulations. When someone speaks in an angry torrent, their words pour out fast and fierce, barely stopping for breath.

The word suggests power and intensity that's hard to control or stop. Whether it's water, words, or emotions, a torrent doesn't trickle; it floods.