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
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 WebGrace Pateras, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024
As usual, charging stations will likely throttle that speed back more regularly than the truck itself, which should manage a 10–80 percent charge time of around 40 minutes in ideal circumstances.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 23 May 2024
Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 2 July 2024
Switch to range mode, and clutches disconnect the front permanent magnet synchronous motor and remap the throttle pedal for better efficiency.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 30 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for throttle 
Verb
The plume in the Atlantic, the largest of the 2024 hurricane season, will throttle tropical development from Africa to the Caribbean.
—Grace Pateras, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024
As usual, charging stations will likely throttle that speed back more regularly than the truck itself, which should manage a 10–80 percent charge time of around 40 minutes in ideal circumstances.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 23 May 2024
Noun
Back off the throttle and the exhausts burble impatiently, but there are no showboating crackles or bangs, which can be either a positive or negative depending on your preference.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 2 July 2024
Switch to range mode, and clutches disconnect the front permanent magnet synchronous motor and remap the throttle pedal for better efficiency.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 30 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for throttle
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.
Dictionary Entries Near throttle
Cite this Entry
“Throttle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throttle. Accessed 14 Jul. 2024.
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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