throttled; throttling
ˈthrät-liŋ 
ˈthrä-tᵊl-iŋ
; 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
Noun
When you press a car's accelerator, it opens the throttle, and the car goes faster.
Recent Examples on the WebAdam Beam and Trân Nguyễn, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
As this demanding test (which pushes all available cores) wore on, the processor reached 100 degrees C, its thermal limit, at which point a processor should throttle itself back to avoid overheating.
—PCMAG, 10 Apr. 2024
Southlake Carroll throttled Crowley 7-0 at Dragon Stadium on Tuesday, advancing to the area round.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2024
Apple’s been under a lot of pressure to provide users with more data since it was caught throttling speeds on older iPhones due to battery issues.
—Allison Johnson, The Verge, 21 Feb. 2024
Today’s regulations against sonic booms would mean subsonic Overture flights over most major land masses, throttling up only over ocean transits.
—Tim Stevens, The Verge, 22 Mar. 2024
The justices expressed skepticism on Monday about state laws in Texas and Florida designed to stop social media giants from throttling conservative views.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
The main engine will once again play a critical role, dropping Odysseus out of orbit and throttling down as required to ensure a gentle touchdown at a vertical velocity of about 2.2 mph.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2024
Snap, which just announced major staffing cuts, blamed the war in the Middle East for throttling its growth, CNBC reports.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2024
IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2023
Other electronics include trail control, which manages throttle and braking while off-roading so the driver can focus exclusively on steering through tricky spots.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 21 Mar. 2024
Indiana came out in full throttle against Michigan, smattering the unsuspecting Wolverines — who had just beaten No. 20 Ohio State, 69-60, last week — with an offensive onslaught.
—The Indianapolis Star, 5 Jan. 2024
This machine debuted a number of technical firsts for Yamaha—the first ride-by-wire throttle in Yamaha’s Chip Controlled Throttle (YCCT), variable inlet tracts, titanium inlet and exhaust valves and an ear-splitting 18,000 rpm redline.
—Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024
Pedaling is required to activate the motor, there's no throttle.
—William Roberson, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
The floor-hinging pedals don’t travel quite as far as a 964 when new, allowing for more precise modulation of the clutch, brake, and throttle while up and downshifting.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2024
Jason, 36, who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, went full throttle for his look, wearing Chiefs overalls, while his wife, Kylie, 31, was more subtle.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta seems to be pacing this season better, setting up his team to control games more and not go full throttle like in the first half of the last campaign.
—Steve Douglas, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024
Verb
The political wrangling over Google’s dominant search engine can throttle access to various news sources comes against the backdrop of legal trouble that could culminate in decisions that undercut the company’s internet empire.
—Adam Beam and Trân Nguyễn, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
As this demanding test (which pushes all available cores) wore on, the processor reached 100 degrees C, its thermal limit, at which point a processor should throttle itself back to avoid overheating.
—PCMAG, 10 Apr. 2024
Southlake Carroll throttled Crowley 7-0 at Dragon Stadium on Tuesday, advancing to the area round.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2024
Apple’s been under a lot of pressure to provide users with more data since it was caught throttling speeds on older iPhones due to battery issues.
—Allison Johnson, The Verge, 21 Feb. 2024
Today’s regulations against sonic booms would mean subsonic Overture flights over most major land masses, throttling up only over ocean transits.
—Tim Stevens, The Verge, 22 Mar. 2024
The justices expressed skepticism on Monday about state laws in Texas and Florida designed to stop social media giants from throttling conservative views.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024
The main engine will once again play a critical role, dropping Odysseus out of orbit and throttling down as required to ensure a gentle touchdown at a vertical velocity of about 2.2 mph.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2024
Snap, which just announced major staffing cuts, blamed the war in the Middle East for throttling its growth, CNBC reports.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2024
Noun
The player must control the spacecraft’s engine throttle by turning a potentiometer so that the spacecraft lands before the fuel runs out.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2023
Other electronics include trail control, which manages throttle and braking while off-roading so the driver can focus exclusively on steering through tricky spots.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 21 Mar. 2024
Indiana came out in full throttle against Michigan, smattering the unsuspecting Wolverines — who had just beaten No. 20 Ohio State, 69-60, last week — with an offensive onslaught.
—The Indianapolis Star, 5 Jan. 2024
This machine debuted a number of technical firsts for Yamaha—the first ride-by-wire throttle in Yamaha’s Chip Controlled Throttle (YCCT), variable inlet tracts, titanium inlet and exhaust valves and an ear-splitting 18,000 rpm redline.
—Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024
Pedaling is required to activate the motor, there's no throttle.
—William Roberson, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
The floor-hinging pedals don’t travel quite as far as a 964 when new, allowing for more precise modulation of the clutch, brake, and throttle while up and downshifting.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2024
Jason, 36, who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, went full throttle for his look, wearing Chiefs overalls, while his wife, Kylie, 31, was more subtle.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta seems to be pacing this season better, setting up his team to control games more and not go full throttle like in the first half of the last campaign.
—Steve Douglas, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024
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
Phrases Containing throttle
Dictionary Entries Near throttle
Cite this Entry
“Throttle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throttle. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on throttle
Nglish: Translation of throttle for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of throttle for Arabic Speakers
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