throttle

1 of 2

verb

throt·​tle ˈthrä-tᵊl How to pronounce throttle (audio)
throttled; throttling ˈthrät-liŋ How to pronounce throttle (audio)
ˈthrä-tᵊl-iŋ
; throttles

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to compress the throat of : choke
(2)
: to kill by such action
b
: to prevent or check expression or activity of : suppress
policies that throttle creativity
c
US, informal : to defeat easily or completely
The Jets went to Miami and throttled the Dolphins.Judy Battista
2
a
: to decrease the flow of (something, such as steam or fuel to an engine) by a valve
b
: to regulate and especially to reduce the speed of (something, such as an engine) by such means
c
: to vary the thrust of (a rocket engine) during flight
3
: to limit or reduce (the bandwidth available to users of an electronic communication system, such as the Internet) : to subject to throttling (see throttling sense 2)
The company throttles data access for customers who use a lot of data during moments of network congestion …Matt Day

intransitive verb

: to throttle something (something, such as an engine)
usually used with back or down
the pilot throttled back
throttler
ˈthrät-lər How to pronounce throttle (audio)
ˈthrä-tᵊl-ər
noun

throttle

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a valve for regulating the supply of a fluid (such as steam) to an engine
especially : the valve controlling the volume of vaporized fuel charge delivered to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine
b
: the lever controlling this valve
c
: the condition of being throttled
2
Phrases
at full throttle
: at full speed
the project is proceeding at full throttle

Examples of throttle in a Sentence

Noun When you press a car's accelerator, it opens the throttle, and the car goes faster.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Russian advantages in manpower, materiel, and defense production have grown in the past year, whereas U.S. ammunition deliveries have been throttled and are at risk of being curtailed almost entirely because of an impasse over funding in the U.S. Congress. Dara Massicot, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 However, there aren’t many phones (including iPhones) on the market these days that don’t throttle a bit, save for perhaps beefier high-end gaming phones. Dave Altavilla, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 Snug through the thighs, throttled at the knees, close-cut at the calves, on intimate terms with the ankles. Jonah Weiner, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 How could a team that had to win their final three games just to get into the playoffs throttle a team that hadn't lost at home all year? Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2024 Most people who build businesses can neither turn off nor throttle down their commitment to their pursuit. Ron Shaich, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2023 Republican lawmakers in Texas and Florida argue that social media companies have been too quick to throttle conservative viewpoints. USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2024 In a Curb Your Enthusiasm plot come to life, ahead of his own segment later that morning, David ran onto the show’s set and throttled the beloved puppet while the cohosts looked on in horror. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2024 And really, is there anyone over age 5 who can't identify with the urge to throttle Elmo? TIME, 2 Feb. 2024
Noun
Indiana came out in full throttle against Michigan, smattering the unsuspecting Wolverines — who had just beaten No. 20 Ohio State, 69-60, last week — with an offensive onslaught. The Indianapolis Star, 5 Jan. 2024 This machine debuted a number of technical firsts for Yamaha—the first ride-by-wire throttle in Yamaha’s Chip Controlled Throttle (YCCT), variable inlet tracts, titanium inlet and exhaust valves and an ear-splitting 18,000 rpm redline. Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024 Pedaling is required to activate the motor, there's no throttle. William Roberson, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The floor-hinging pedals don’t travel quite as far as a 964 when new, allowing for more precise modulation of the clutch, brake, and throttle while up and downshifting. Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2024 Jason, 36, who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, went full throttle for his look, wearing Chiefs overalls, while his wife, Kylie, 31, was more subtle. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta seems to be pacing this season better, setting up his team to control games more and not go full throttle like in the first half of the last campaign. Steve Douglas, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024 For anyone who doesn’t want to go full throttle with bronze, an apricot-toned shimmer is a subtle way of adding color to the face. Georgia Day, Glamour, 22 Nov. 2023 Instead of adding more throttle to accelerate, the pedal's position equates to a specific speed. Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 12 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'throttle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English throtelen, from throte throat

Noun

perhaps from Middle English *throtel, diminutive of throte throat

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of throttle was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near throttle

Cite this Entry

“Throttle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throttle. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

throttle

1 of 2 verb
throt·​tle ˈthrät-ᵊl How to pronounce throttle (audio)
throttled; throttling ˈthrät-liŋ How to pronounce throttle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to slow or stop the breathing of : choke, strangle
2
: to reduce the speed of (an engine) by closing the throttle
throttler
-lər How to pronounce throttle (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
noun

throttle

2 of 2 noun
1
: a valve controlling the flow of steam or fuel to an engine
2
: a lever controlling a throttle

More from Merriam-Webster on throttle

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