torsion bar

6.1

A metal bar under a vehicle that twists to act like a spring and absorb shocks

noun
/ˈtɔrʃən bɑr/

Specialized

: barra de torsión

Replacing the damaged torsion bar is crucial for restoring the vehicle's ride quality.
torsion bar suspension
torsion bar rear
torsion bar spring

Examples

To enhance stability, many trucks use a torsion bar system in their rear suspension.
Because those tanks have torsion bar suspension just like Abrams.
But the torsion bar set up on this and the strength of it is just.
At trial, however, the expert admitted that the torsion bar could not have caused the accident after all.

Academic text (2000)
And when he sued General Motors Corp., his lawyer found an expert engineer who testified that a defective torsion bar would indeed cause just such bizarre automotive behavior.

Academic text (2000)
The vehicle's suspension relies on a torsion bar to absorb shocks and improve handling.

Surface Forms

torsion bar singular

torsion bars plural

Morphology

torsion + bar

The compound is directly compositional: 'torsion' (twisting) + 'bar' (a long rigid piece) yields a bar that works by twisting to provide spring-like resistance. Although the device is technical, the basic function is transparently derivable from the constituents and common noun‑noun compounding, so a learner who knows both words would grasp the core meaning.

Etymology

The name torsion bar comes from its parts: a metal bar that works by torsion, which means to 'twist' and act like a 'spring'. That's why the name fits the vehicle part that twists to absorb bumps and support the car.