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.
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
nounDefinition 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.
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Time Traveler for choke
The first known use of choke was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century