throat

noun

\ ˈthrōt

Definition of throat

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1) : the part of the neck in front of the spinal column

(2) : the passage through the neck to the stomach and lungs

b(1) : voice

(2) : the seat of the voice

2 : something resembling the throat especially in being an entrance, a passageway, a constriction, or a narrowed part: such as

a : the orifice of a tubular organ especially of a plant

b : the opening in the vamp of a shoe at the instep

c : the part of a tennis racket that connects the head with the shaft

3 : the curved part of an anchor's arm where it joins the shank — see anchor illustration

at each other's throats

: in open and aggressive conflict

throat

verb

throated; throating; throats

Definition of throat (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to utter in the throat : mutter

2 : to sing or enunciate in a throaty voice

Examples of throat in a Sentence

Noun

My throat was dry so I took a sip of water. He held a knife to her throat. His shirt was open at the throat. He grabbed her by the throat.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

On Wednesday, Duane made the heartbreaking announcement that Beth had lost her years-long battle with throat cancer. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "Dog the Bounty Hunter Tearfully Speaks About Wife Beth Chapman's Final Moments," 29 June 2019 Beth Chapman underwent a successful surgery for throat cancer in 2017 before doctors announced the cancer had returned last year. — NBC News, "Beth Chapman, wife of Dog the Bounty Hunter, dead at 51," 26 June 2019 Chapman was diagnosed with throat cancer in September 2017 after getting a nagging cough checked out. — Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Twin Cities, "Beth Chapman, co-star of ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter,’ dies of cancer at 51," 26 June 2019 Her husband, Tom Mahoney, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2009. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN, "CDC panel recommends HPV vaccine for men through age 26 and for some older adults," 26 June 2019 Anton, 72, took time off in 2014 after lung surgery followed by treatment for throat cancer. — oregonlive.com, "From her spot behind the chair, Portland hair stylist bears witness to a changing world for women," 23 June 2019 But then his dad got sick — throat cancer — and by the time Vaden’s freshman year was over, his dad was gone. — Indianapolis Star, "IU's Robert Vaden back in Indiana, chasing greatness," 21 June 2019 Dave Mustaine is undergoing treatment for throat cancer. — Dan Snierson, EW.com, "Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine diagnosed with throat cancer," 18 June 2019 Ten years ago, Cross’s husband, Tom Mahoney, was diagnosed with throat cancer. — Christina Oehler, Health.com, "Marcia Cross Reveals New Details of Her Anal Cancer Diagnosis," 5 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

His head bleeding, his eyes burning, his mouth and throat raw from salt water, the future 41st President of the United States was alone. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Jon Meacham's Eulogy for George H.W. Bush: Read What the President's Biographer Had to Say," 5 Dec. 2018 By the time the final horn sounded and the Penguins’ 2-1 series lead was official and Crosby’s name was announced as the game’s first star, there were barely enough fans left for a weak-throated boo. — Mike Sielski, Philly.com, "Sidney Crosby once again leaves the Flyers and their fans all wet | Mike Sielski," 16 Apr. 2018 Outside analysts say the 51-year-old state senator faces a difficult choice about how full-throated a campaign to wage against the popular, 84-year-old incumbent. — Sarah D. Wire, latimes.com, "De León's challenge in the Senate race: to oppose Feinstein but keep his future intact," 15 June 2018 The dawn chorus was productive, though, providing grasshopper sparrow, scarlet tanager, summer tanager and yellow-throated vireo, to name a few. — Taylor Piephoff, charlotteobserver, "Goal for a Big Day: Count as many bird species as you can find | Charlotte Observer," 14 May 2018 The result is a crowded stage—the choreography resembles a packed aerobics class—and the biggest, richest, most full-throated sound the show's likely ever had. — Deanna Isaacs, Chicago Reader, "Lyric’s Jesus Christ is, indeed, a superstar," 1 May 2018 Ryan Hartman to Nashville, Michal Kempny to Washington, Tommy Wingels to Boston—though not as full-throated as the Rangers. — Alex Prewitt, SI.com, "Original Six Outsiders: Trying to Make Sense of Meaningless March Hockey," 27 Mar. 2018 What’s most memorable about the novel, however, is the unadulterated, feminist voice, rarely found so full-throated in mainstream novels. — Anita Felicelli, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘Girls Burn Brighter,’ by Shobha Rao," 21 Mar. 2018 Not against Houston — the Cougars still ran the ball down the Owls’ throats a number of times, finding driving lanes too easily. — Mike Jensen, Philly.com, "Big Ivy League game coming up for Penn, just not must-win | City Six Observations," 20 Feb. 2018

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