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

His killer, Bradley Murdoch, died of throat cancer aged 67 in jail last year, without disclosing where Falconio's remains might be.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

She said it had happened on numerous occasions but had felt it was not a "big deal" as it often only left her with a sore throat.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

When the author was diagnosed with throat cancer despite having never smoked, he wasn’t surprised.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

El Chapo said he has been unable to get adequate sleep and experiences “near-constant severe sinus, ear, nose, and throat pain,” which he attributed to hot air being frequently pumped into his cell.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026

It burns my throat and makes me wince.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

In an era when divisiveness reigns and everything seems to be designed to keep us at each other’s throats, Byrd makes camaraderie look as simple as it is.

From Salon ● Jul. 10, 2026

Team Jackass has stayed united even while at each other’s throats.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026

Their tiny hairs contain toxins that may lead to itchy skin rashes, sore throats, breathing difficulties and eye irritation if touched or inhaled.

From BBC ● May 28, 2026

They’re already at each other’s throats with HOA-style grievances.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

But finally, finally, finally the school clock clicked to noon, and we crammed our sandwiches down our throats, and then Danny Hupfer stood up and approached the brown, light, perfect cream puffs sort of reverently.

From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt

Related Words

• esophagus
• larynx