throttle

American  

[throt-l] / ˈθrɒt l /

noun

1. Also called throttle lever.  a lever, pedal, handle, etc., for controlling or manipulating a throttle valve.

2. throttle valve.

3. the throat, gullet, or windpipe, as of a horse.

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verb (used with object)

throttled, throttling

1. to stop the breath of by compressing the throat; strangle.

2. to choke or suffocate in any way.

3. to compress by fastening something tightly around.

4. to silence or check as if by choking.

   His message was throttled by censorship.

5. Machinery.

   1. to obstruct or check the flow of (a fluid), as to control the speed of an engine.

   2. to reduce the pressure of (a fluid) by passing it from a smaller area to a larger one.

idioms

1. at full throttle, at maximum speed.

throttle British  

/ ˈθrɒtəl /

noun

1. Also called: throttle valve.  any device that controls the quantity of fuel or fuel and air mixture entering an engine

2. an informal or dialect word for throat

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verb

1. to kill or injure by squeezing the throat

2. to suppress

   to throttle the press

3. to control or restrict (a flow of fluid) by means of a throttle valve

Other Word Forms

• throttler
  noun
• unthrottled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of throttle

1350–1400; (v.) Middle English throtelen, frequentative of throten to cut the throat of (someone), strangle, derivative of throat; (noun) probably diminutive of Middle English throte throat; compare German Drossel

Explanation

The throttle of an engine controls the fuel going in, and if you're going at full throttle, you'd better hang onto your hat. You can think of a throttle as a throat, and the two words may be related. But as with a throat, if you block a throttle, something bad is likely to happen. You can throttle your car — cut off the air to the engine, also known as applying the choke — and you might stall it out. You can also throttle a person — the image is that you grab the person by the throat and cut off his air. It's much better to use throttle figuratively: when you crushed your opponent at tennis, you could say "you throttled her" — but nobody really got hurt.

Example Sentences

“I wouldn’t suggest to ride by yourself,” said Brian Hutchinson, owner of Full Throttle Recreation Club, which offers rentals and more from a Wenatchee HQ.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 11, 2022

But I did install some native Linux games from GOG and the Humble Bundle with only moderate success: Full Throttle Remastered wouldn’t play audio, and Cave Story+ didn’t recognize the Deck controls.

From The Verge • Feb. 25, 2022

He is also developing an action drama series called Throttle, writing a memoir, producing and narrating two modelling documentaries, and appearing on an episode of ABC show Celebrity Dating Game.

From BBC • Sep. 8, 2021

“We are OK with all of the safety measures,” she said as she waited to board Full Throttle.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2021

Throttle the steam valve in cab until lamps are reduced to proper brilliancy.

From The Traveling Engineers' Association To Improve The Locomotive Engine Service of American Railroads by Anonymous