throttled; throttling
ˈthrä-tᵊl-iŋ 
ˈthrät-liŋ
; throttles
1
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
Matt Day
: to throttle something (something, such as an engine)
—usually used with back or down
the pilot throttled back
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
b
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
Erick Taylor, arkansasonline.com, 7 Feb. 2025
In 1931, the Great Depression was throttling America’s economy and dashing people’s spirits.
—Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2025
New Atlas, 25 Jan. 2025
Zoom in: The brewery's nonalcoholic journey began in earnest six years ago, and once brewers dialed the flavor profile for Fresh Squeezed in late 2023, the company decided to go full throttle in this direction, Skrbek says.
—John Frank, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for throttle 
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Verb
The Mustangs also throttled Class 2A No. 5 Ozark Catholic by 35 points in mid-December.
—Erick Taylor, arkansasonline.com, 7 Feb. 2025
In 1931, the Great Depression was throttling America’s economy and dashing people’s spirits.
—Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
Much like a standard motorcycle throttle, the right-hand controls forward .. but also reverse (roll forward to go forward, roll reverse to go in reverse), while a twist of the left-hand controls left/right yaw.
—New Atlas, 25 Jan. 2025
Zoom in: The brewery's nonalcoholic journey began in earnest six years ago, and once brewers dialed the flavor profile for Fresh Squeezed in late 2023, the company decided to go full throttle in this direction, Skrbek says.
—John Frank, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for throttle
Dictionary Entries Near throttle
Cite this Entry
“Throttle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throttle. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
throttle
1 of 2 verb
throt·tle
ˈthrät-ᵊl
throttled; throttling
ˈthrät-liŋ
-ᵊl-iŋ
2
: to reduce the speed of (an engine) by closing the throttle
throttle
2 of 2 noun1
: a valve controlling the flow of steam or fuel to an engine
2
: a lever controlling a throttle
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