throttle

1 of 2

verb

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

Verb I was so angry at what he was saying that I could have throttled him! Noun When you press a car's accelerator, it opens the throttle, and the car goes faster.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Authorities issued a temporary blackout on the coverage of the attack and went on to throttle access to social media websites. Suzan Fraser, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Oct. 2024 Between the lines: A rare alignment of weather features — some of which are up to chance and not due to climate change — also lined up to throttle the fearsome storm into the upper echelon of its potential intensity. Andrew Freedman, Axios, 8 Oct. 2024
Noun
The pilot shoved the throttles forward and went for it. Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2024 Despite pushing and pulling the throttle, McCrary couldn't clear the junk and slammed into the bridge about two hours into the rescue attempt. CBS News, 6 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for throttle 

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 31 Oct. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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