throat

American  

[throht] / θroʊt /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

• throats
  plural

1. the passage from the mouth to the stomach or to the lungs, including the pharynx, esophagus, larynx, and trachea.

2. some analogous or similar narrowed part or passage.

3. the front of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone.

4. the narrow opening between a fireplace and its flue or smoke chamber, often closed by a damper.

5. Nautical, Machinery. swallow.

6. Nautical.

   1. Also called nock. the forward upper corner of a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail.

   2. jaw.

7. the forward edge of the opening in the vamp of a shoe.

8. Automotive. barrel.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make a throat in; provide with a throat.

2. to utter or express from or as from the throat; utter throatily.

idioms

1. cut one's own throat, to bring about one's own ruin.

   He cut his own throat by being nasty to the boss.

2. stick in one's throat, to be difficult of expression; cause to hesitate.

   The words of sympathy stuck in her throat.

3. jump down someone's throat, to disagree with, criticize, or scold overhastily.

   Wait and let me finish before you jump down my throat.

4. ram / force something down someone's throat, to force someone to agree to or accept (something).

5. lump in one's throat, a tight or uncomfortable feeling in the throat, as a reaction to an emotion.

   The sight of the infant brought a lump to her throat.

throat British  

/ θrəʊt /

noun

1. 1. that part of the alimentary and respiratory tracts extending from the back of the mouth (nasopharynx) to just below the larynx

   2. the front part of the neck

2. something resembling a throat, esp in shape or function

   the throat of a chimney

3. botany the gaping part of a tubular corolla or perianth

4. informal a sore throat

5. to bring about one's own ruin

6. to have compete control over (a person or thing)

7. See jump

8. to insist that someone listen to or accept (something)

   he rammed his own opinions down my throat

9. informal to be difficult, or against one's conscience, for one to accept, utter, or believe

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throat More Idioms  

1. see at each other's throats; cut someone's throat; frog in one's throat; jump down someone's throat; lump in one's throat; ram (shove) down someone's throat; stick in one's craw (throat).

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• throats
  plural

Etymology

Origin of throat

before 900; Middle English throte, Old English throte, throta, throtu; akin to Old High German drozza throat, Old Norse throti swelling. See throttle

Explanation

Your throat is the part of your body you use to swallow and to breathe. When you're hot and thirsty, your throat may feel dry and parched. Sometimes, the word throat is used interchangeably with neck, so you might describe your mom's pretty necklace as encircling her throat. It also appears in literary contexts meaning "voice," as in "From the throats of the choirboys came a lovely song." Anatomically, your throat is inside your neck, providing the tube or passage from the back of your mouth to your stomach and lungs.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

throat throats

Professor Vasilev noticed that eating peppermint leaves from his drink significantly eased his sore throat.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

By then, he was suffering from fever, chills, muscle pain, a sore throat and bleeding.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

Well, then the sound of television writer Joe Wiseman clearing his throat over and over again might as well be Gilbert Gottfried’s laugh scratching against a chalkboard.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

Hindbrain neurons also direct muscles in the face, tongue and throat that are important for speaking and swallowing.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 21, 2026

Or, maybe, he loves the burnt air that fills your throat and lungs, day in and day out?

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

“Early on, some families seemed mildly symptomatic, complaining of headaches, scratchy throats and sinus issues,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

“Forcing our religion down their throats is not love. It’s why I’ve fought so hard for that sacred separation in our First Amendment,” he said.

From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026

Since the fire, residents have reported experiencing scratchy throats, headaches and nausea because of the ongoing smell.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

"They are at each other's throats and it's boiling over, which is not a good look. Even the manager has come across too," Dublin said.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

In Los Angeles, thousands of people found their eyes and throats stinging with mysterious fumes.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• esophagus
• larynx