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For a finitely generated module $V={⨁}_d{V}_d$ over the graded ring $S=k[X_1,\dots ,X_n]$, with each $X_i$ of degree one, its Poincare series of a graded module isThis is also its Hilbert series. One usually takes $d\ge 0$; allowing an integer grading also permits finitely many negative degrees. Homogeneous generators of degrees $a_1,\dots ,a_h$ give a surjection ${⨁}_{j}S(-a_j)\to V$, where the graded shift is defined by $V(-a{)}_d=V_{d-a}$. Consequently every $V_d$ is a finite-dimensional vector space and $V_d=0$ for all sufficiently negative $d$.

The Hilbert-Serre theorem in the standard grading saysFor a nonnegatively graded $V$, the numerator is in $\mathbb{Z}[t]$. Equivalently, the only possible pole of this rational expression is at $t=1$, with order at most $n$.

We prove the Hilbert-Serre theorem by induction on the number of variables. For $n=0$, $S=k$ and $V$ is a finite-dimensional graded module; thus $P_V(t)$ is a Laurent polynomial. Suppose $n>0$ and putThe Hilbert basis theorem makes $S$ a Noetherian ring, so $K$ is a finitely generated module, as is $C$. Both are graded modules killed by $X_n$, hence finitely generated over $S^{\prime }=k[X_1,\dots ,X_{n-1}]$.

The graded exact sequenceidentifies the kernel and cokernel of multiplication by $X_n$. Taking the alternating sum of the finite-dimensional degree components yieldssoBy induction the right side has denominator $(1-t{)}^{n-1}$, which proves the required denominator $(1-t{)}^n$. Since $(1-t{)}^n{P}_V(t)$ has no negative powers when $V$ is nonnegatively graded, its Laurent polynomial numerator is an ordinary polynomial in that case.

For $n\ge 1$, this also implies the usual Hilbert polynomial consequence. Writing $Q(t)={\sum }_j{q}_j{t}^j$ and usinggives, for all sufficiently large $d$,a polynomial in $d$ of degree at most $n-1$. For $n=0$, the graded pieces are eventually zero.

For the final request, a free resolution of $V$ is an exact sequencewith each $F_i$ a free module. In the graded setting we take finite direct sums of shifts $S(-a)$ and maps preserving degree. The resolution has length at most $n$ if $F_i=0$ for every $i>n$. The syzygy modules are the successive kernels which record the relations among generators, then relations among those relations, and so on.

Put $\mathfrak{m}=(X_1,\dots ,X_n)$, the homogeneous maximal ideal with $S/\mathfrak{m}=k$. Choose a homogeneous $k$-basis of $V/\mathfrak{m}V$ and lift it to $V$. These lifts generate $V$ by the graded Nakayama lemma: a bounded-below graded module $W$ satisfying $W=\mathfrak{m}W$ must be zero, since a nonzero homogeneous element of least degree could not be a sum of variables times elements of lower degrees. Apply this to the quotient by the submodule generated by the chosen lifts. This gives a surjection $F_0\to V$ inducing an isomorphism modulo $\mathfrak{m}$.

Its kernel is finitely generated because $S$ is a Noetherian ring. Repeat the construction for that kernel, then for each subsequent kernel. We obtain a minimal graded free resolution, meaningIndeed, at each stage the free cover induces an isomorphism modulo $\mathfrak{m}$, so its kernel lies in $\mathfrak{m}$ times its source. The sequence is exact by construction, though it may at first appear infinite.

The Koszul complex on $X_1,\dots ,X_n$ iswith basis vectors $e_j$ given degree one, and differentialThe hat means omission of that factor. Every pair of terms in ${\partial }^2$ cancels with opposite signs, so this is a chain complex. The sequence $X_1,\dots ,X_n$ is a regular sequence: after quotienting by the first $j-1$ variables, the next variable is a non-zero-divisor in the remaining polynomial ring.

The Koszul complex is consequently exact in positive degrees and has $H_0=k$, so it is a Koszul resolution of $k$ of length $n$. For completeness, one proves this by induction: for one variable it is $0\to S\stackrel{X_1}{\to }S\to S/(X_1)\to 0$. Appending $X_j$ constructs the mapping cone of multiplication by $X_j$ on the previous chain complex. Its homology is zero in positive degrees because $X_j$ acts injectively on $S/(X_1,\dots ,X_{j-1})$; its degree-zero homology is the further quotient. Here a mapping cone combines a chain complex with a shifted copy and adds the given multiplication map to the differential, thereby measuring its kernel and cokernel on homology.

The Tor functor ${\mathrm{Tor}}_i^S(V,k)$ is defined as the degree-$i$ homology of $F_{\bullet }{\otimes }_{S}k$ for a free resolution $F_{\bullet }$ of $V$. It can equally be computed as the homology of $V{\otimes }_S{K}_{\bullet }$, using the Koszul resolution of $k$. To see the equality, form the double complex $F_{\bullet }{\otimes }_S{K}_{\bullet }$. Taking homology first along $F_{\bullet }$ leaves $V{\otimes }_S{K}_{\bullet }$, since each $K_i$ is a free module; taking homology first along $K_{\bullet }$ leaves $F_{\bullet }{\otimes }_{S}k$, since each $F_i$ is free. The finite sums along each total degree identify both with the homology of the total complex. This also explains the symmetry used in computing the Tor functor.

Since $K_i=0$ for $i>n$, we have ${\mathrm{Tor}}_i^S(V,k)=0$ for $i>n$. On the other hand, all differentials of the minimal graded free resolution become zero after tensoring with $k=S/\mathfrak{m}$, soThus $F_i/\mathfrak{m}{F}_i=0$ for $i>n$, and the graded Nakayama lemma implies $F_i=0$ for those $i$. We have proved the required Hilbert syzygy theorem:where some initial $F_i$ may be zero. The argument supplies finitely generated graded free modules, which is stronger than merely giving an ungraded free resolution.

On the monoidal category of modules over the commutative ring $k$, consider the monad $T=H{\otimes }_k-$ coming from the unit and multiplication of the bialgebra $H$. Its opmonoidal functor structure has comparison mapsHere and below Sweedler notation abbreviates the comultiplication $\Delta h=\sum h_{(1)}\otimes h_{(2)}$. The opmonoidal associativity and unit axioms are the coassociativity and counit laws of the coalgebra. The unit and multiplication of a monad are opmonoidal natural transformations because the bialgebra axioms sayThe Eilenberg-Moore category of this opmonoidal monad is the category of left $H$-modules: a monad-algebra map $H{\otimes }_{k}M\to M$ is exactly a unital associative action.

Applying the preceding construction gives the diagonal bialgebra action and the unit actionThe usual associators and unitors for the tensor product of modules are $H$-linear, and the underlying tensor product is exactly ${\otimes }_k$. The forgetful functor into $k$-modules is strict monoidal. The base need not be a field; the modules need be neither flat modules nor finitely generated modules.

The structure theorem for finitely generated modules over a principal ideal domain applies in particular to a Euclidean domain $R$: every finitely generated module has an isomorphismwith each $d_i$ nonzero and a nonunit. The rank of a free module $r$ and the invariant factors of a finitely generated module $d_i$ are unique up to multiplication by units; empty sums are allowed. This is the classification theorem being used, without a proof of that theorem.

The rational canonical form theorem states that for a linear operator $T$ on a finite-dimensional vector space over any field $F$, there are unique monic nonconstant polynomials $p_1\mid \cdots \mid p_k$ such that some basis givesHere, for $p(t)=t^d+a_{d-1}{t}^{d-1}+\cdots +a_0$, the companion matrix has ones on its subdiagonal and last column $(-a_0,\dots ,-a_{d-1}{)}^T$. The empty matrix covers a zero-dimensional space. Two linear operators have matrix similarity exactly when they have the same invariant factors of a linear operator.

For the proof, make $V$ an $F[t]$-module by $t\cdot v=T(v)$. It is a finitely generated module, since a vector-space basis also generates it as a module. It is a torsion module: the powers of $T$ have linear dependence in the finite-dimensional space ${\mathrm{End}}_F(V)$, so some nonzero polynomial annihilates every vector. Because $F[t]$ is a Euclidean domain, the classification theorem givesThere is no free summand, since a nonzero free module over $F[t]$ is not a torsion module. Choose monic generators of the ideals. On $F[t]/(p_i)$, the classes of $1,t,\dots ,t^{d_i-1}$ form an $F$-basis by polynomial division. Multiplication by $t$ is exactly $C(p_i)$ in that basis, proving existence. Uniqueness in the classification theorem proves uniqueness of the rational canonical form. Finally, an $F[t]$-module isomorphism is precisely an invertible $F$-linear map intertwining the operators, establishing the assertion about matrix similarity. In particular the characteristic polynomial is ${\prod }_i{p}_i$ and the minimal polynomial is $p_k$ for nonzero $V$.

Induct on $n$ to prove the stronger assertion that any submodule $M\subseteq R^n$ is a free module of rank of a free module at most $n$. For $n=0$ this is immediate. Project onto the first coordinate by $\pi :R^n\to R$. Its image $\pi (M)$ is an ideal of the principal ideal domain, so $\pi (M)=(a)$.

If $a=0$, then $M$ embeds in the remaining $n-1$ coordinates and the induction hypothesis applies. Otherwise choose $v\in M$ with $\pi (v)=a$. Put $N=M\cap \ker \pi$, a submodule of $R^{n-1}$, which is free by induction. For every $m\in M$, there is $b\in R$ with $\pi (m)=ba$, so $m-bv\in N$. If $bv\in N$, then $ba=0$; the integral domain property and $a\ne 0$ give $b=0$. ThereforeAppending $v$ to a basis of $N$ proves that $M$ is a free module of rank of a free module at most $n$. This proof of the submodule theorem for free modules over a principal ideal domain does not assume in advance that $M$ is a finitely generated module.

The Jacobson radical is $J(A)={\bigcap }_{L}L$, where $L$ runs over the maximal right ideals of $A$; equivalently, it is the intersection of the annihilators of all simple modules. It is a two-sided ideal. A projective module has the lifting property against every surjective R-module homomorphism. A finitely generated module is a projective module precisely when it is a direct summand of a finitely generated free module. An indecomposable module is nonzero and admits no direct sum decomposition into two nonzero submodules.

To calculate the top of an indecomposable projective module, use the right Artinian ring hypothesis, namely the descending chain condition on right ideals. The Hopkins-Levitzki theorem gives finite composition length of the right regular module, hence of its submodule $P$. Also $J=J(A)$ is a nilpotent ideal, and $A/J$ is a semisimple ring. Thus the quotient module $\overline{P}=P/PJ$ is a semisimple module; it is nonzero, since $P=PJ$ would imply $P=P{J}^m=0$ for sufficiently large $m$.

Suppose $\overline{P}$ were not a simple module. A nontrivial direct sum decomposition of this semisimple module would give an idempotent $\alpha \in {\mathrm{End}}_A(\overline{P})$ that is neither zero nor the identity. Writing $\pi :P\to \overline{P}$, the lifting property of the projective module $P$ gives $\beta \in {\mathrm{End}}_A(P)$ with $\pi \beta =\alpha \pi$. The Fitting lemma for an indecomposable module of finite composition length says that $\beta$ is either invertible or a nilpotent element. Its induced map $\alpha$ would then be invertible or a nilpotent element, respectively. Neither is possible for a nontrivial idempotent. Therefore $P/PJ(A)$ is simple. This argument does not assume that an embedded projective module automatically splits off from the ambient module.

A block of an Artinian algebra is a nonzero two-sided direct summand $Ae$ determined by a primitive central idempotent $e$: $e$ cannot be written as a sum of two nonzero orthogonal central idempotents. Its identity is $e$. For a finite-dimensional associative algebra, the blocks of an Artinian algebra give its unique decomposition as a finite product of indecomposable algebras, or equivalently as a direct sum of two-sided ideals.

For the block of S3 in characteristic three, put $A=k{S}_3$, $r=(123)$, $s=(12)$ and $a=r-1$. The group algebra has basis $r^i,r^{i}s$ for $0\le i<3$. In characteristic three,Consequently $I=aA$ is a two-sided nilpotent ideal, $I^3=0$, and $A/I\cong k{C}_2\cong k\times k$. A nilpotent ideal lies in the Jacobson radical, and a quotient that is a semisimple ring forces the reverse inclusion. HenceDefine orthogonal idempotents $e_{+}=(1+s)/2$ and $e_{-}=(1-s)/2$. They sum to one, so the right regular module decomposes asThe two summands are the indecomposable projectives of S3 in characteristic three. Each direct summand is a projective module, with basis $e_{\pm },e_{\pm }r,e_{\pm }{r}^2$. Its quotient module modulo multiplication by $J(A)$ is one-dimensional: the trivial representation for $e_{+}A$, and the sign representation for $e_{-}A$. Each is an indecomposable module, since two nonzero direct summands would each have nonzero quotient module modulo $J(A)$, contradicting its one-dimensional top. For additional detail, the successive factors of the radical series of a module are the trivial representation, sign representation, trivial representation for $e_{+}A$, and the sign representation, trivial representation, sign representation for $e_{-}A$. Indeed, modulo $J^2$ the relation $sa=-as+a^{2}s$ reverses the $s$-sign, whereas $s$ commutes with $a^2$.

The center of an associative algebra is spanned by the conjugacy class sums $1$, $r+r^2$, and $(1+r+r^2)s$. Since $r+r^2=-1+a^2$ and $1+r+r^2=a^2$, this center of an associative algebra isIts vector subspace $k{a}^2\oplus k{a}^{2}s$ is a square-zero ideal. If $d1+n$ is a central idempotent, then $d^2=d$ and $(2d-1)n=0$. Thus $d=0$ or $1$ and $n=0$. There is no nontrivial central idempotent, so the whole group algebra is its single block. The two three-dimensional projective modules above are a decomposition of the regular module, not two blocks of an Artinian algebra.

A right Noetherian ring satisfies the ascending chain condition on right ideals; equivalently, every right ideal is a finitely generated module.

Here is a noncommutative Hilbert basis theorem proof adapted to the stated hypothesis. Set $F_{-1}=0$ andThe equality follows inductively from $A+xA=A+Ax$, by moving one coefficient past one $x$ at a time. These spaces form an exhaustive filtered algebra structure on $B$, with $F_n{F}_m\subseteq F_{n+m}$. This does not assert uniqueness of the displayed expressions or the existence of a coefficient-moving automorphism.

For a right ideal $I\subseteq B$, defineEach $L_n$ is a right ideal of $A$. In fact, if $a\in L_n$ and $c\in A$, write $c{x}^n=x^{n}b+u$ with $b\in A$, $u\in F_{n-1}$; then $ac{x}^n=(a{x}^n)b+au\in I+F_{n-1}$. Also $L_n\subseteq L_{n+1}$ by right multiplication by $x$. Since $A$ is a right Noetherian ring, this ascending chain stabilizes at some $L_N$.

Choose finite generators $a_{nj}$ for each $L_n$, $0\le n\le N$, and choose $f_{nj}\in I$ with $f_{nj}-a_{nj}{x}^n\in F_{n-1}$. These finitely many elements generate $I$ as a right ideal. To see this, induct on $m$ for $f\in I\cap F_m$. Write $f=a{x}^m+u$ with $u\in F_{m-1}$; then $a\in L_m$. Put $d=\min (m,N)$ and express $a={\sum }_j{a}_{dj}{c}_j$. Write $c_j{x}^d=x^d{b}_j+u_j$ with $u_j\in F_{d-1}$. The differencelies in $I\cap F_{m-1}$, so the induction applies. At $m=0$ the remainder is zero. Hence $B$ is right Noetherian.

For the quantum torus, take $q\in k^{\times }$ and the convention $YX=qXY$. Begin with the polynomial ring $k[X]$, which is Noetherian by the Hilbert basis theorem. Adjoining $X^{-1}$ preserves the hypothesis because it commutes with $k[X]$, and gives $k[X^{\pm 1}]$. Adjoin $Y$ next. The relation $Yf(X)=f(qX)Y$ and its inverse coefficient-moving relation give $A+YA=A+AY$ for $A=k[X^{\pm 1}]$. Finally adjoin $Y^{-1}$ to $k[X^{\pm 1}][Y;\sigma ]$, where $\sigma (X)=qX$. On a monomial, $Y^{-1}{X}^i{Y}^j=q^{-i}{X}^i{Y}^{j-1}$; when $j=0$ this is in $A{Y}^{-1}$, and when $j>0$ it is in $A$. The reverse inclusion follows by the same relation. The preceding argument applies at each step, proving the quantum torus is right Noetherian. Nonzero $q$ is required for this notation.

For a noncommutative ring, a prime ideal of a noncommutative ring means a proper two-sided ideal $P$ such that $UV\subseteq P$ for two-sided ideals $U,V$ implies $U\subseteq P$ or $V\subseteq P$. Equivalently, $aAb\subseteq P$ implies $a\in P$ or $b\in P$. This definition does not require $A/P$ to be a noncommutative domain.

Retain the right Noetherian ring hypothesis for the last assertion. More generally, the ascending chain condition on two-sided ideals suffices. We claim that every proper two-sided ideal $I$ contains a product of finitely many prime ideals of a noncommutative ring, each containing $I$. If not, choose a maximal counterexample $I$. It cannot be a prime ideal of a noncommutative ring. Thus there are two-sided ideals $U,V$ strictly containing $I$ with $UV\subseteq I$: add $I$ to the two witnesses for failure of the defining condition for a prime ideal of a noncommutative ring. By maximality, both $U$ and $V$ contain products of finitely many prime ideals of a noncommutative ring containing them. Concatenating these products gives a product inside $UV\subseteq I$, a contradiction.

Apply the claim to $I=0$ in a nonzero $A$, obtaining $P_1\cdots P_r=0$. Every prime ideal of a noncommutative ring $Q$ contains one of the $P_i$, by repeated application of the definition of a prime ideal of a noncommutative ring. For the prime radical of a noncommutative ring $N$, it follows thatIndeed, $N\subseteq P_i$ gives $N^r\subseteq P_1\cdots P_r=0$, and ${\bigcap }_i{P}_i\subseteq Q$ for every $Q$ gives equality of the intersections. If $A=0$, the empty intersection is the whole zero ring and the conclusion is immediate.

The final assertion is false for arbitrary algebras without the preceding chain condition. For example, in the commutative ring $k[z_1,z_2,\dots ]/(z_i^2:i\ge 1)$ the nilradical is $(z_1,z_2,\dots )$, its only prime ideal, but the product of any number of distinct $z_i$ is nonzero. Thus this nilradical is not a nilpotent ideal.

Choose a finite-dimensional generating vector subspace $V\subseteq A$ containing $1$, and write $V^n$ for the linear span of products of $n$ elements of $V$. The Gelfand–Kirillov dimension isFor a nonzero finitely generated module $M$ considered as a right module, choose a finite-dimensional generating vector subspace $W\subseteq M$ and define the Gelfand–Kirillov dimension of a module byFor left modules, replace $W{V}^n$ by $V^{n}W$. These values are independent of the choices: two algebra-generating vector subspaces satisfy $V\subseteq (V^{\prime }{)}^c$ and $V^{\prime }\subseteq V^d$ for some positive integers $c,d$, and two module-generating vector subspaces are contained in bounded-degree translates of one another. The corresponding growth bounds differ only by a constant rescaling and shift of $n$, which do not change the limit superior.

Let $S$ be a nonzero standard graded algebra, generated by $r$ elements of degree one. It is a homogeneous quotient ring of the polynomial ring $k[z_1,\dots ,z_r]$. By the Hilbert-Serre theorem, its Hilbert series is a rational function whose only possible pole is at $t=1$. After canceling, write it as $P(t)/(1-t{)}^d$ with $P(1)\ne 0$, where $0\le d\le r$. The cumulative dimensions are the coefficients of $P(t)/(1-t{)}^{d+1}$ and are eventually a polynomial in $n$ of degree $d$, with positive leading coefficient. With $V=S_0\oplus S_1$, these cumulative dimensions equal $\dim V^n$. ConsequentlyFor $d=0$ the algebra is finite-dimensional and nonzero, so the cumulative dimension is eventually a positive constant. If the zero algebra is allowed, the common convention $\mathrm{GKdim}0=-\infty$ is an exception to the printed assertion; the integer conclusion concerns nonzero unital algebras.

For the Weyl algebra $A=A_1(k)=k⟨X,D⟩/(DX-XD-1)$, the total-degree filtered algebra structure has associated graded ring $\mathrm{gr}A=k[x,\xi ]$. Its ordered monomials $X^i{D}^j$ form a basis. Every finitely generated module has a good filtration of a module, and its associated graded module is finitely generated over $k[x,\xi ]$. The Hilbert-Serre theorem therefore shows that its Gelfand–Kirillov dimension is an integer in $\{0,1,2\}$.

A nonzero module of Gelfand–Kirillov dimension zero here would have eventually constant cumulative dimension, hence be finite-dimensional. This is impossible in characteristic zero: taking the trace of the endomorphisms representing $DX-XD=1$ gives $0={\dim }_{k}M$. For right modules the right-action operators reverse composition and give the negative identity instead, with the same contradiction. ThusBoth occur. The regular module $A$ has $\dim V^n=\left(\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{n+2}{2}\right)$, hence Gelfand–Kirillov dimension two. For a right module of Gelfand–Kirillov dimension one, take $M=k[x]$ with $f\cdot X=xf$ and $f\cdot D=-f^{\prime }$. These actions satisfy the defining relation because $(f\cdot D)\cdot X-(f\cdot X)\cdot D=f$. The module is a cyclic module generated by $1$, and $\dim (1\cdot V^n)=n+1$. This also gives the lower bound for this particular Weyl algebra without invoking a general inequality for higher Weyl algebras.

A ring extension $A\subseteq B$ is finite when $B$ is a finitely generated module over $A$. Every finite extension is integral by the determinant trick.

A prime filtration of a module over a commutative ring is a finite increasing chain from zero to the module with each nonzero successive quotient module isomorphic to $R/P$ for a prime ideal $P$. Every finitely generated module over a Noetherian ring has one. In each nonzero quotient, a maximal annihilator of a module element is prime supplies a cyclic submodule $R/P$; lift it and repeat. The ascending chain condition for a Noetherian module makes the process terminate. This is not necessarily a composition series: the prime ideals need not be maximal.

A finitely generated module over a Noetherian ring admits a possibly infinite free resolution whose every term is finitely generated. Surject a finite free module onto it; the kernel is finitely generated because a finite free module is Noetherian. Repeat this construction on the successive kernels. If the original module has finite projective dimension $n$, its $n$th syzygy is projective by dimension shifting of the Ext functor, giving a length-$n$ resolution with finite projective terms.

For a finitely generated module $V$ on the right over a semilocal ring, the displayed condition makes the induced module endomorphism on $V/VJ$ injective. This quotient is an Artinian module, so Artinian modules are co-Hopfian makes that map surjective. The remaining quotient module $V/\alpha (V)$ equals its product with $J$, and Nakayama lemma makes it zero.

Let $M$ be a nonzero finitely generated module over a commutative Noetherian ring. Take a length-$n$ resolution with finite projective terms. If its top Ext functor with coefficients in $A$ vanished, the dual of its last injection would be surjective. The dual of a finite projective module is projective, so that surjection splits. Finite projective modules are isomorphic to their double duals, so dualizing gives a splitting of the original injection. The resolution then shortens, contradicting minimality of $n$. When $n=0$, a nonzero coordinate of a finite free module containing $M$ as a summand gives a nonzero map $M\to A$.

For a nonzero left finitely generated module over a left Noetherian ring, take a finite projective resolution with finite projective modules. Vanishing of its top Ext functor would make the dual of its final injection surjective. These duals are right finite projective modules, so the surjection splits. Dualizing back and using finite projective double dual modules splits the original injection and shortens the resolution, contradicting the definition of projective dimension. When the dimension is zero, a coordinate map of a finite free module containing the nonzero projective summand supplies a nonzero map to $R$. The left/right distinction in the duals is essential for a noncommutative ring.

A module $M$ over an integral domain $R$ is torsion-free when $rm=0$ with $0\ne r\in R$ implies $m=0$, equivalently when its torsion submodule is zero. Every free module over an integral domain is torsion-free, as one can check in each coefficient. Every vector space is torsion-free over its scalar field.

The converse requires hypotheses. A finitely generated module over a principal ideal domain is free if it is torsion-free, but the module $\mathbb{Q}$ over $\mathbb{Z}$ is torsion-free and not free. Any two nonzero rational numbers have a nontrivial integer relation, so a possible basis of a module could have at most one element; no single $q$ generates all rational numbers, since $q/2\notin \mathbb{Z}q$ for $q\ne 0$. The finite-generation hypothesis cannot be dropped. See Keith Conrad's Modules over a PID, Corollary 2.6.

A torsion module over an integral domain $R$ is a module in which every element is a torsion element of a module. Each element may require a different nonzero annihilating scalar. The module $\mathbb{Z}/6\mathbb{Z}$ is torsion over $\mathbb{Z}$, and the polynomial module from a linear operator $\mathbb{Q}[t]/(t^2)$ is torsion over $\mathbb{Q}[t]$.

If the torsion module is a finitely generated module, one common nonzero scalar kills the whole module: multiply annihilating scalars for a finite generating set. Without finite generation this can fail. The quotient module $\mathbb{Q}/\mathbb{Z}$ is torsion, since the class of $a/b$ is killed by $b$, but no nonzero integer $n$ kills it all: the class of $1/(2|n|)$ survives multiplication by $n$. See Keith Conrad's Modules over a PID, exercise 6.5(c).