noun
Uncommon
throttle
THROT-l
Throttle (noun) means a valve or lever that controls how much fuel or air reaches an engine, and therefore its speed. Example: “He eased off the throttle as he approached the corner.”
noun
1
A valve or lever that controls how much fuel or air reaches an engine, and therefore its speed.
"He eased off the throttle as he approached the corner."
"The motorbike's throttle is on the right handlebar."
verb
1
To restrict or slow something down, such as an engine, a network connection, or activity.
"The internet provider throttles speeds during peak hours."
2
To choke or strangle someone by gripping their throat.
"He grabbed the intruder and nearly throttled him."
How to use throttle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the control for an engine's power, or to restrict/choke something.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
open the throttle
throttle internet speed
throttle someone
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Word forms
- Plural
- throttles
- Third person singular
- throttles
- Past tense
- throttled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He eased off the _____ as he approached the corner.
Etymology
From an old diminutive of "throat" — literally "little throat" — since throttling originally meant squeezing someone's windpipe.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for throttle
See all rhymes for throttle →Frequently asked questions
What does “throttle” mean?
The word “throttle” means a valve or lever that controls how much fuel or air reaches an engine, and therefore its speed. In plain terms, either the control for an engine's power, or to restrict/choke something.
How do you pronounce “throttle”?
“Throttle” is pronounced THROT-l (/ˈθɹɔ.tl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “throttle” in a sentence?
Here is “throttle” used in a sentence: “He eased off the throttle as he approached the corner.”
What part of speech is “throttle”?
Depending on how it is used, “throttle” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “throttle” a common word?
“Throttle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “throttle” have?
“Throttle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a valve or lever that controls how much fuel or air reaches an engine, and therefore its speed.
