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

Letisha Lucas, a 33-year-old tourist from Canada -- which has its own wildfires happening -- said the smoke smell was immediately obvious on arrival in Madrid "and very irritating on the throat".

From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026

It was initially reported by Fifa that Argentina's Leandro Paredes had been sent off by referee Slavko Vincic after he pushed Spain's Eric Garcia by the throat.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

For decades, oncologists blamed cancers of the mouth and throat on excessive use of tobacco or alcohol.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

Freelance sports journalist Eric Geller reported that Irvin died Wednesday after a long battle with throat cancer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

I want to answer her, but I feel bile in the back of my throat; I’m pretty sure if I open my mouth, I’ll throw up.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

It had the power to soothe the roughest of sore throats and quiet the phlegmiest of coughs.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026

The cathedral where Avraamiy usually holds services, decked with gold and brightly colored religious scenes, was filled with acrid smoke, stinging the rescuers’ eyes and throats.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026

I do think that they’ve always been at each other’s throats.

From Slate ● May 7, 2026

Zoe Harrison nailed all 12 conversions as well to keep the boot firmly on Scotland's throats in a commanding display.

From BBC ● Apr. 18, 2026

“Battle cry...rises from the throats of free men everywhere,” he wrote, imagining the movie opening with a prophetic voice-over.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• esophagus
• larynx