throttle

1 of 2

verb

throt·​tle ˈthrä-tᵊl 

throttled; throttling ˈthrä-tᵊl-iŋ 

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 

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

a

: throat sense 1a

b

: trachea sense 1

see also at full throttle

Synonyms of throttle

Verb

• choke
• strangle

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

Overall, Newsom has tended to favor attempts to protect children and other vulnerable groups from AI, while opposing measures that could throttle the industry’s growth. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026

The idea is a weaker currency boosts exports and employment while a strong currency can throttle an economy. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026

Noun

The tactile sensations from the driver’s seat—throttle response, steering feel, and shifter action—are excellent. —Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 4 Feb. 2026

Confirm the safety key, throttle, and choke are in the correct positions before starting. —David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 1 Feb. 2026

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

Phrases Containing throttle

• at full throttle
• throttle back

Rhymes for throttle

• bottle
• cottle
• glottal
• mottle
• pottle
• scrotal
• wattle
• nahuatl

Kids Definition

throttle

1 of 2 verb

throt·​tle ˈthrät-ᵊl 

throttled; throttling ˈthrät-liŋ 

-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 

-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