throat

1 of 2

noun

ˈthrōt 

1

a(1)

: the part of the neck in front of the spinal column

(2)

: the passage through the neck to the stomach and lungs

b(1)

: voice

(2)

: the seat of the voice

2

: something resembling the throat especially in being an entrance, a passageway, a constriction, or a narrowed part: such as

a

: the orifice of a tubular organ especially of a plant

b

: the opening in the vamp of a shoe at the instep

c

: the part of a tennis racket that connects the head with the shaft

3

: the curved part of an anchor's arm where it joins the shank see anchor illustration

throat

2 of 2

verb

throated; throating; throats

transitive verb

1

: to utter in the throat : mutter

2

: to sing or enunciate in a throaty voice

Phrases

at each other's throats

: in open and aggressive conflict

Examples of throat in a Sentence

Noun

My throat was dry so I took a sip of water.

He held a knife to her throat.

His shirt was open at the throat.

He grabbed her by the throat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As the surgeon general’s report highlights, alcohol is associated with approximately 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths every year, playing a role in breast, liver, colorectal, mouth, throat, esophagus and voice box cancer cases. —Nikki Crowley, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025

There are no marks on the bones directly attributable to a cause of death, Green said, and the Romans typically killed their sacrifices by slitting their throats or through drowning. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025

Verb

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these fumes can irritate the respiratory system, causing symptoms ranging from coughing and throat irritation to severe respiratory distress and lung damage. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025

The duo learned to throat sing together 20 years ago, thanks to the help of other urban Inuit, while experiencing culture shock upon moving from Nunavut to Ottawa. —Kate Nelson, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English throte, from Old English; akin to Old High German drozza throat

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing throat

• a lump in one's throat
• clear one's throat
• cut one's own throat
• cut-throat razor
• deep throat
• force/ram/shove (something) down someone's throat
• have a frog in one's throat
• jump down someone's throat
• lump in one's throat
• septic sore throat
• sore throat
• strep throat
• throat singer
• throat singing

Kids Definition

throat

noun

ˈthrōt

1

: the part of the neck in front of the spinal column

also : the passage through the neck to the stomach and lungs

2

: something (as an end part) that resembles the throat

throated

-əd

adjective

Medical Definition

throat

noun

ˈthrōt 

1

: the part of the neck in front of the spinal column

2

: the passage through the throat to the stomach and lungs containing the pharynx and upper part of the esophagus, the larynx, and the trachea