choke

verb

\ ˈchōk

\

choked; choking

Definition of choke

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to check or block normal breathing of by compressing or obstructing the trachea or by poisoning or adulterating available air The unwary guard was choked to death by a prisoner.

2a : to check or hinder the growth, development, or activity of The flowers were choked by the weeds.

b : to obstruct by filling up or clogging Leaves choked the drain.

c : to fill completely : jam roads choked with traffic

3 : to enrich the fuel mixture of (a motor) by partially shutting off the air intake of the carburetor

4 : to grip (something, such as a baseball bat) some distance from the end of the handle —usually used with up The batter choked up the bat and cut down his swing.

intransitive verb

1 : to become choked in breathing He choked on a bone.

2a : to become obstructed or checked

b : to become or feel constricted (see constrict sense 1) in the throat (as from strong emotion) —usually used with up choked up and couldn't finish the speech

3 : to shorten one's grip especially on the handle of a bat —usually used with up

4 : to lose one's composure and fail to perform effectively in a critical situation had a chance to win the game but he choked

choke

noun

Definition of choke (Entry 2 of 2)

1 [ by folk etymology from artichoke ] : the filamentous inedible center of an artichoke flower head broadly : an artichoke flower head

2 : something that obstructs passage or flow: such as

a : a valve for choking (see choke entry 1 sense 3) a gasoline engine

b : a constriction in an outlet (as of an oil well) that restricts flow

c : reactor sense 2

d : a constriction (such as a narrowing of the barrel or an attachment) at the muzzle (see muzzle entry 1 sense 3) of a shotgun that serves to limit the spread of shot

3 : the act of choking A few chokes dislodged the food in her throat.

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about choke

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Examples of choke in a Sentence

Verb

Chew your food well so you don't choke. We were choking on fumes. The thick smoke was choking me. The flowers were choked by the weeds.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

When he was sent to save a boy choking on a hot dog, his team crawled through traffic for 21 minutes, arriving to find the boy had already died. — Eliora Katz, WSJ, "Jews and Muslims Unite to Save Lives," 17 Dec. 2018 There are barefoot refugee children, in diapers, choking on tear gas that America has unleashed on them at the San Ysidro border crossing. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "If You're Defending Tear Gassing Children, You're a Horrible Person," 28 Nov. 2018 The cause of death was inconclusive, according to the defense, and his wife told police the boy choked on baby formula. — Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, "‘I was a poser,’ says young man caught with Islamic State propaganda and child porn," 6 July 2018 Last year there was a black fly hatch and runners reported choking on bugs during their lung-burning gasps for air. — Holly Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, "It’s gonna be a hot Mount Marathon, so racers be warned and spectators stand by — preferably with ice," 3 July 2018 As her 2-year-old son Rylan turned a bluish purple from choking on a grape, Amber Strother ran to a neighboring apartment for help. — Melissa Nelson Gabriel, ajc, "Marine honored for saving toddler's life," 2 July 2018 Instead, Ingram died choking on a piece of steak, Christopher told The Times. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Famed Radio DJ Dan Ingram Dead at 83 After Choking on Piece of Steak Amidst Parkinson's Battle," 26 June 2018 The jarring sound of a suction machine, which Spencer used to ensure Kenan did not choke on his own saliva, became the background noise of their lives. — Patricia Callahan, chicagotribune.com, "7-year-old Kenan, who helped spark a lifesaving change in state procedures, dies from Krabbe disease," 1 June 2018 Kori, a student at Bowser Elementary School, was eating lunch with her friend Astah when Astah began choking on her burrito. — Yesha Callahan, The Root, "New Jersey 3rd-Grader Becomes Mayor for a Day After Saving Friend From Choking by Using Heimlich Maneuver," 1 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The man gets something caught in his throat, chokes and dies. — Stephanie Rosenbloom, New York Times, "On Eating Alone in Paris," 30 May 2018 The full-frontal comes to us courtesy of Batman: Damned #1, the first in a new limited series about the coc — *chokes* CAPED crusader. — Megan Farokhmanesh, The Verge, "Thanks, I hate it," 21 Sep. 2018 Lamas throws Bektic down, but Bektic gets up immediately and looks for a choke. — Todd Martin, latimes.com, "Ricardo Lamas vs. Mirsad Bektic live round-by-round coverage," 10 June 2018 Coulter gives his back and De La Rocha looks to lock in a rear naked choke. — Todd Martin, latimes.com, "Rashad Coulter vs. Chris De La Rocha live round-by-round coverage," 10 June 2018 Pettis then grabs a triangle choke, transitions to an arm bar, and gets the submission. — Todd Martin, latimes.com, "Michael Chiesa vs. Anthony Pettis live round-by-round coverage," 8 July 2018 Pettis looks for the finish with a guillotine choke but doesn’t get it. — Todd Martin, latimes.com, "Michael Chiesa vs. Anthony Pettis live round-by-round coverage," 8 July 2018 But a front-rim job by a good shooter who just made one in a high-pressure situation — that’s a choke. — Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, "Game 2: Cavs have a Draymond problem," 3 June 2018 The man gets something caught in his throat, chokes, and dies. — Dana Snitzky, Longreads, "Eating Alone," 6 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'choke.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.