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
Will Greenwald, PCMAG, 9 Jan. 2025
So somewhere along the way, our creative genius gets throttled.
—Sandy Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 13 Jan. 2025
With a little modulation in either mode, the throttle is responsive without lurching.
—Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for throttle 
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Verb
Additional peripheral mounts will be released in August, including the $99 Pro Flying surfaces for a joystick and throttle, the $189 Pro Desktop desk surface for a mouse and keyboard, and the $199 Pro Racing surfaces for a steering wheel and pedals.
—Will Greenwald, PCMAG, 9 Jan. 2025
So somewhere along the way, our creative genius gets throttled.
—Sandy Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
After a tranquil cruise away from the dock and out of the lake's no-wake zone—with the boat’s engine making almost no noise—shoving its throttle forward turned it into a different beast.
—Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 13 Jan. 2025
With a little modulation in either mode, the throttle is responsive without lurching.
—Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 13 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 19 Jan. 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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