throttle

[ throt-l ]

/ ˈθrɒt l /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for throttle on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

throttle valve.

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

verb (used with object), throt·tled, throt·tling.

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

to choke or suffocate in any way.

to compress by fastening something tightly around.

to silence or check as if by choking: His message was throttled by censorship.

Machinery.

to obstruct or check the flow of (a fluid), as to control the speed of an engine.
to reduce the pressure of (a fluid) by passing it from a smaller area to a larger one.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about throttle

at full throttle, at maximum speed.

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 throtethroat; compare German Drossel

OTHER WORDS FROM throttle

throttler, nounun·throt·tled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use throttle in a sentence

Unable to serve indoors at full throttle, restaurants and bars put creativity on the menu and stepped outside the box – and into al fresco.
Restaurants, bars put creativity on the menu in 2020|Evan Caplan|December 30, 2020|Washington Blade
The Zero FX I rode, like other electric bikes, is operated simply by rolling on the throttle in your right hand.
I rode an electric motorcycle for the first time. Here’s what I learned.|Rob Verger|December 10, 2020|Popular-Science
The driver continues to operate the brake and throttle normally, but the system turns the Navigator’s steering wheel automatically.
Backing up a trailer is really hard, but this $100,000 SUV offers a new solution|Dan Carney|November 19, 2020|Popular-Science
Some companies fear “throttling”—a deliberate slowing—which may become more frequently used by the ISPs.
Porn Fights For Your Right to Surf: Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube Lead Charge For Net Neutrality|Aurora Snow|September 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Then there is an unprecedented increase in Israeli settlements and land takeover throttling the idea of a Palestinian state.
The Rise Of Palestinian Non-Violent Resistance: A Conversation With Mustafa Barghouti|Raja Shehadeh|March 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Yes, the thing's quite limp; tired out with throttling poor old Peter, I should say.
Masterpieces of Mystery, Vol. 1 (of 4)|Various
With a squeak, Keen shifted his hold from the shoulder to the throat, half throttling Grimalkin.
Lives of the Fur Folk|M. D. Haviland
Throttling down the power of the engine he spirals downwards, keenly observing the country below.
The Aeroplane Speaks|H. Barber
He held out his arms; Leander sprang into them, nearly throttling him in the violence of his embrace.
Friendship and Folly|Maria Louise Pool
We may fill up the measure of His sacrifice yet needed, in healing men's wounds and in throttling sin's power.
Quiet Talks with World Winners|S. D. Gordon

British Dictionary definitions for throttle

throttle

/ (ˈθrɒtəl) /

noun

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

an informal or dialect word for throat

verb (tr)

to kill or injure by squeezing the throat

to suppressto throttle the press

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

Derived forms of throttle

throttler, noun

Word Origin for throttle

C14: throtelen, from throte throat

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

throttle

Idioms about throttle

Origin of throttle

OTHER WORDS FROM throttle

Words related to throttle

How to use throttle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for throttle

Derived forms of throttle

Word Origin for throttle