throttle

American  

[throt-l] / ˈθrɒt l /

noun

1. Also called throttle lever.  a lever, pedal, handle, etc., for controlling or manipulating a throttle valve.

2. throttle valve.

3. the throat, gullet, or windpipe, as of a horse.

---

verb (used with object)

throttled, throttling

1. to stop the breath of by compressing the throat; strangle.

2. to choke or suffocate in any way.

3. to compress by fastening something tightly around.

4. to silence or check as if by choking.

   His message was throttled by censorship.

5. Machinery.

   1. to obstruct or check the flow of (a fluid), as to control the speed of an engine.

   2. to reduce the pressure of (a fluid) by passing it from a smaller area to a larger one.

idioms

1. at full throttle, at maximum speed.

throttle British  

/ ˈθrɒtəl /

noun

1. Also called: throttle valve.  any device that controls the quantity of fuel or fuel and air mixture entering an engine

2. an informal or dialect word for throat

---

verb

1. to kill or injure by squeezing the throat

2. to suppress

   to throttle the press

3. to control or restrict (a flow of fluid) by means of a throttle valve

Other Word Forms

• throttler noun
• unthrottled adjective

Etymology

Origin of throttle

1350–1400; (v.) Middle English throtelen, frequentative of throten to cut the throat of (someone), strangle, derivative of throat; (noun) probably diminutive of Middle English throte throat; compare German Drossel

Example Sentences

Before long, he was confidently diagnosing the vehicle’s issue: a loose throttle body cable.

From Los Angeles Times

The Eagles tore apart Kansas City’s defense while Philadelphia’s defense throttled Patrick Mahomes, who threw an interception returned for a touchdown long before he threw a touchdown of his own.

From The Wall Street Journal

There was no throttle, just the consistency of panic, complete with sniffing and pivoting.

From Salon

The E-Ray also features a Weather drive mode, with more progressive throttle response and earlier traction interventions, widening the margins of driver control.

From The Wall Street Journal

Recharge: Drivers can recharge their battery with energy recovered from braking, or on throttle lift at the end of the straights or in corners where only partial power is applied.

From BBC