choke
verb (used with object)
to stop the breath of by squeezing or obstructing the windpipe; strangle; stifle.
was choking
-
past progressiveof choke.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jered Yalung, a pharmacist who owns a home-care agency in Greensboro, N.C., recently had a patient with dementia who began refusing to take his medications because he was choking on a large potassium pill.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 8, 2026
The wastewater treatment plants were finally overhauled with new technology that could remove the ammonia that was choking the river.
From Slate ● May 26, 2025
L.A. was choking, but to the rest of the country it seemed like a local problem.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2024
"The furious driver couldn't see that her infant was choking."
From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2024
She was choking on it when Mr. Sager told them to stop.
From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin
