torch

/tɔrtʃ/ n [C]

Definition

› a stick that burns at one end and is held at the other end and is used esp. as a light: Which athlete will carry the Olympic torch into the stadium? › fig. The torch is the basic responsibilities and characteristics of a group, organization, or society, esp. when someone new takes control: After he retired, the torch passed to his daughter, who now runs the organization. › A torch is also a blowtorch.

(Definition of torch n from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)