- present participle of choke.
choking
Americanadjective
-
(of the voice) husky and strained, especially because of emotion.
-
causing the feeling of being choked.
a choking cloud of smoke.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of choking
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Workers sweated in choking heat and pupils stayed home on Tuesday as an early-summer heatwave smothered much of Europe, sparking health warnings.
From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026
The regulated toxic substance is corrosive to the skin, eyes and lungs, and high levels of exposure can lead to choking, burns and death, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026
It gradually got worse and after waking up in the middle of the night choking and throwing up he said he knew "there was something badly wrong".
From BBC • May 19, 2026
Ex-Celtic forward Chris Sutton shared similar sentiments: "They have spent a fortune this season, so there will be questions asked. This isn't a one-off, Rangers choking."
From BBC • May 5, 2026
All their jokes matched the corniness of Ms. Wockley's non-joke, which made them laugh even harder, Gregory half choking because laugh plus spray equals choke.
From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
