throttled; throttling
ˈthrät-liŋ 
ˈthrä-tᵊl-iŋ
; throttles
1
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
Matt Day
: to throttle something (something, such as an engine)
—usually used with back or down
the pilot throttled back
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
a
b
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 WebCharles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Apr. 2024
In the midst of its battle to extinguish the Mendocino Complex wildfire in 2018, the Santa Clara County Fire Department discovered that its internet connection provider, Verizon, had throttled their data flow virtually down to zero, cutting off communications for firefighters in the field.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024
Disruptions to electricity, software updates, and the supply of foreign equipment, maintenance, and engineering—not to mention the likely flight overseas by many of Taiwan’s most knowledgeable semiconductor experts—would throttle Taiwan’s chip factories.
—Andrew S. Erickson, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2024
Additionally, Bump’s algorithm will never throttle a creator.
—Brandon Zemp, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
The lockdowns, in turn, throttled economic activity in countless ways — curbing air travel and chasing away tourists, business people and local patrons from staying in hotels.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024
The political wrangling over Google’s dominant search engine can throttle access to various news sources comes against the backdrop of legal trouble that could culminate in decisions that undercut the company’s internet empire.
—Adam Beam and Trân Nguyễn, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
As this demanding test (which pushes all available cores) wore on, the processor reached 100 degrees C, its thermal limit, at which point a processor should throttle itself back to avoid overheating.
—PCMAG, 10 Apr. 2024
Southlake Carroll throttled Crowley 7-0 at Dragon Stadium on Tuesday, advancing to the area round.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2024
Jim Fisher, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
Students are able to progress from Dodge Chargers and Challengers to Dodge Vipers, and, eventually, open-wheel Ligier Formula 4 race cars—all while learning how to brake harder, set the front tires before turning, and exit from the apex to reach full throttle as quickly as possible.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
Saginaw boys soccer throttles Lake Dallas Saginaw boys soccer had a historic performance Friday night at Chisholm Trail High School, winning an area round playoff game for the first time in program history.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2024
Murray was - and still is - a full throttle firebrand.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
With guard Brennan Peterson back after missing most of the season, NDP was in full throttle mode Wednesday night, despite being in foul trouble, in a 98-83 statement win at Scottsdale Desert Mountain.
—Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 26 Jan. 2024
The player must control the spacecraft’s engine throttle by turning a potentiometer so that the spacecraft lands before the fuel runs out.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2023
Other electronics include trail control, which manages throttle and braking while off-roading so the driver can focus exclusively on steering through tricky spots.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 21 Mar. 2024
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
Verb
Aledo throttles Everman twice, advances to area round Aledo’s offense completely overwhelmed Everman in a UIL bi-district series on Thursday at Aledo High School.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Apr. 2024
In the midst of its battle to extinguish the Mendocino Complex wildfire in 2018, the Santa Clara County Fire Department discovered that its internet connection provider, Verizon, had throttled their data flow virtually down to zero, cutting off communications for firefighters in the field.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024
Disruptions to electricity, software updates, and the supply of foreign equipment, maintenance, and engineering—not to mention the likely flight overseas by many of Taiwan’s most knowledgeable semiconductor experts—would throttle Taiwan’s chip factories.
—Andrew S. Erickson, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2024
Additionally, Bump’s algorithm will never throttle a creator.
—Brandon Zemp, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
The lockdowns, in turn, throttled economic activity in countless ways — curbing air travel and chasing away tourists, business people and local patrons from staying in hotels.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024
The political wrangling over Google’s dominant search engine can throttle access to various news sources comes against the backdrop of legal trouble that could culminate in decisions that undercut the company’s internet empire.
—Adam Beam and Trân Nguyễn, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
As this demanding test (which pushes all available cores) wore on, the processor reached 100 degrees C, its thermal limit, at which point a processor should throttle itself back to avoid overheating.
—PCMAG, 10 Apr. 2024
Southlake Carroll throttled Crowley 7-0 at Dragon Stadium on Tuesday, advancing to the area round.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2024
Noun
Its pistol-grip design feels comfortable, and the central throttle control accommodates both right- and left-handed users.
—Jim Fisher, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
Students are able to progress from Dodge Chargers and Challengers to Dodge Vipers, and, eventually, open-wheel Ligier Formula 4 race cars—all while learning how to brake harder, set the front tires before turning, and exit from the apex to reach full throttle as quickly as possible.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
Saginaw boys soccer throttles Lake Dallas Saginaw boys soccer had a historic performance Friday night at Chisholm Trail High School, winning an area round playoff game for the first time in program history.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2024
Murray was - and still is - a full throttle firebrand.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
With guard Brennan Peterson back after missing most of the season, NDP was in full throttle mode Wednesday night, despite being in foul trouble, in a 98-83 statement win at Scottsdale Desert Mountain.
—Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 26 Jan. 2024
The player must control the spacecraft’s engine throttle by turning a potentiometer so that the spacecraft lands before the fuel runs out.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2023
Other electronics include trail control, which manages throttle and braking while off-roading so the driver can focus exclusively on steering through tricky spots.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 21 Mar. 2024
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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near throttle
Cite this Entry
“Throttle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throttle. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
throttle
1 of 2 verb
throt·tle
ˈthrät-ᵊl
throttled; throttling
ˈthrät-liŋ
-ᵊl-iŋ
2
: to reduce the speed of (an engine) by closing the throttle
throttle
2 of 2 noun1
: a valve controlling the flow of steam or fuel to an engine
2
: a lever controlling a throttle
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