We introduce a simple way to construct a family of number fields of given degree with class numbers divisible by a given integer, by using the arithmetic theory of elliptic curves. In particular, we start with an elliptic curve defined over the rational number field with a rational torsion point of order l 2 f3; 5; 7g, and show a way to construct infinitely many number fields of given odd degree d ! 3 with class numbers divisible by l.