throat
THROHT
Throat (noun) means the front part of the neck, or the passage inside it leading from the mouth to the lungs and stomach. Example: “She had a sore throat and could barely speak.”
noun
1
The front part of the neck, or the passage inside it leading from the mouth to the lungs and stomach.
"She had a sore throat and could barely speak."
"The scarf was wrapped tightly around his throat."
"He cleared his throat before he started to read the speech aloud."
"The wild pitch bounced and hit the catcher in the throat."
How to use throat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe tube-like part of the body between your mouth and chest.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "throttle," which is a related but different word meaning to choke or to control an engine's speed.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sore throat
clear your throat
grab someone by the throat
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- throats
- Past tense
- throated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She had a sore _____ and could barely speak.
Etymology
From Old English þrote, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to swell" — likely a reference to the throat's visible movement when swallowing.
Related words
Rhymes for throat
See all rhymes for throat →Frequently asked questions
What does “throat” mean?
The word “throat” means the front part of the neck, or the passage inside it leading from the mouth to the lungs and stomach. In plain terms, the tube-like part of the body between your mouth and chest.
How do you pronounce “throat”?
“Throat” is pronounced THROHT (/ˈθɹoʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “throat” in a sentence?
Here is “throat” used in a sentence: “She had a sore throat and could barely speak.”
What part of speech is “throat”?
“Throat” is a noun.
Where does the word “throat” come from?
The word “throat” comes from Old English. From Old English þrote, going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to swell" — likely a reference to the throat's visible movement when swallowing.
Is “throat” a common word?
“Throat” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between the throat and the neck?
The neck is the whole part of the body connecting the head to the shoulders, while the throat is specifically the front part of the neck and the passage inside it. The throat carries food and air from the mouth toward the lungs and stomach, whereas 'neck' names the outer structure as a whole.
What is the difference between the throat and the windpipe?
The throat is the passage at the front of the neck leading from the mouth toward the lungs and stomach. The windpipe, or trachea, is just one tube branching off from it that carries air specifically to the lungs, so the windpipe is part of what the throat leads to.
What are common expressions using 'throat'?
Everyday idioms include 'a lump in your throat' for strong emotion, 'clear your throat', 'a sore throat', and 'at each other's throats' for people who are fighting. 'Jump down someone's throat' means to react to them with sudden anger.
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