throat

UK: /ˈθrəʊt/ US: /θroʊt/ ,(thrōt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

throat /θroʊt/   n. [countable]

1. Anatomy, Zoology the top of the passage from the mouth to the stomach and lungs:
   The throat includes the pharynx, larynx, and the upper parts of the trachea and esophagus.
2. Anatomy, Zoology the front of the neck below the chin and above the collarbones.

Idioms

3. Idioms cut one's own throat, to bring about one's own ruin:
   Expressing antagonism toward your coworkers and your boss is a sure way of cutting your own throat.
4. Idioms jump down someone's throat, to disagree with someone rapidly and furiously:
   Before I could explain myself she had jumped down my throat and accused me of all kinds of treachery.
5. Idioms ram (something) down someone's throat, to force someone to accept something:
   The committee rammed the recommendations down the department's throat.
6. Idioms stick in one's throat:
   • to be difficult to express:
     The words stuck in his throat when he tried to tell her how he felt.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

throat (thrōt),  n. [Anat., Zool.]

1. Anatomy, Zoology the passage from the mouth to the stomach or to the lungs, including the pharynx, esophagus, larynx, and trachea.
2. Anatomy, Zoology some analogous or similar narrowed part or passage.
3. Anatomy, Zoology the front of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone.
4. the narrow opening between a fireplace and its flue or smoke chamber, often closed by a damper.
5. Mechanical Engineering, Nautical, Naval Terms [Naut., Mach.] swallow¹ (def. 13).
6. [Naut.]
   • Naval Terms Also called nock. the forward upper corner of a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail. See diag. under sail. 
   • Naval Terms jaw¹ (def. 5).
7. the forward edge of the opening in the vamp of a shoe.
8. Automotive barrel (def. 14).
9. cut one's own throat, to bring about one's own ruin:
   He cut his own throat by being nasty to the boss.
10. Informal Terms jump down someone's throat, to disagree with, criticize, or scold overhastily:
    Wait and let me finish before you jump down my throat.
11. lump in one's throat, a tight or uncomfortable feeling in the throat, as a reaction to an emotion:
    The sight of the infant brought a lump to her throat.
12. Informal Terms ram or force (something) down someone's throat, to force someone to agree to or accept (something).
13. stick in one's throat, to be difficult of expression;
    cause to hesitate:
    The words of sympathy stuck in her throat.

v.t. 

14. to make a throat in;
    provide with a throat.
15. to utter or express from or as from the throat;
    utter throatily.

• bef. 900; Middle English throte, Old English throte, throta, throtu; akin to Old High German drozza throat, Old Norse throti swelling. See throttle

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

throat / θrəʊt/ noun

1. that part of the alimentary and respiratory tracts extending from the back of the mouth (nasopharynx) to just below the larynx
2. the front part of the neck
3. something resembling a throat, esp in shape or function: the throat of a chimney
4. cut one's throat, cut one's own throat ⇒ to bring about one's own ruin
5. jump down someone's throat ⇒
   See jump24
6. ram something down someone's throat, force something down someone's throat ⇒ to insist that someone listen to or accept (something)

Related adjective(s): guttural, laryngeal

Etymology: Old English throtu; related to Old High German drozza throat, Old Norse throti swelling