bottleneck

American  

[bot-l-nek] / ˈbɒt lˌnɛk /

noun

1. a narrow entrance or passageway.

2. a place or stage in a process at which progress is impeded.

3. Also called slide guitar.  a method of guitar playing that produces a gliding sound by pressing a metal bar or glass tube against the strings.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to hamper or confine by or as if by a bottleneck.

verb (used without object)

1. to become hindered by or as if by a bottleneck.

bottleneck British  

/ ˈbɒtəlˌnɛk /

noun

1. 1. a narrow stretch of road or a junction at which traffic is or may be held up

   2. the hold up

2. something that holds up progress, esp of a manufacturing process

3. music

   1. the broken-off neck of a bottle placed over a finger and used to produce a buzzing effect in a style of guitar-playing originally part of the American blues tradition

   2. the style of guitar playing using a bottleneck

---

verb

1. (tr) to be or cause an obstruction in

bottleneck Scientific  

/ bŏt′l-nĕk′ /

1. An abrupt and severe reduction in the number of individuals during the history of a species, resulting in the loss of diversity from the gene pool. The generations following the bottleneck are more genetically homogenous than would otherwise be expected. Bottlenecks often occur in consequence of a catastrophic event.

---

bottleneck Cultural  

1. The point at which an industry or economic system has to slow its growth because one or more of its components cannot keep up with demand.

---

Etymology

Origin of bottleneck

First recorded in 1895–1900; bottle ¹ + neck

Example Sentences

In Germany, chemical industry group VCI said the conflict was raising concerns about supply bottlenecks in raw materials, including helium.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company has “methodically positioned itself across nearly every critical bottleneck in AI,” and is approaching an inflection point, he said.

From Barron's

On a shorter timescale, several major defense companies have seen their stock prices slip since the Iran war began, as the market grapples with potential supply chain bottlenecks.

From Barron's

Albanese's government has sought to reassure motorists that shipments of fuel continue to arrive in Australia, and petrol shortages in rural towns stem from panic buying and distribution bottlenecks.

From Barron's

But with about a third of the world’s tradable fertilizer stock caught in the Strait of Hormuz bottleneck, this year’s planting season will be a tricky one.

From Barron's

Related Words

• barrier
• blockage
• congestion
• hindrance
• impediment
• snag
• traffic jam