# throat

/ˈθɹoʊt/ (US) · /θɹˈəʊt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/throat
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. anatomy

noun · CEFR B1

the passage in the neck through which food and air pass.

For teachers: the passage from the back of the mouth to the lungs and stomach, including the pharynx and esophagus.

- She had a sore throat and found it difficult to swallow her tea.
- The doctor examined the patient's throat for signs of inflammation or bacterial infection before prescribing antibiotics.

### 2. front of the neck

noun · CEFR B1

the front part of the neck.

For teachers: the anterior portion of the neck, containing the structures for breathing and swallowing.

- He wrapped a warm scarf around his throat to protect himself from the cold wind.
- The athlete felt a sudden constriction in his throat as the adrenaline of the final lap took hold.

### 3. narrow opening

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a narrow passage or opening in an object, like a chimney or a bottle.

For teachers: a narrow or constricted part of a passage, vessel, or architectural feature.

- The worker cleaned the throat of the chimney to make sure the smoke could escape.
- Engineers modified the throat of the nozzle to increase the velocity of the fluid as it exited the chamber.

### 4. botany

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the opening of a tubular flower.

For teachers: the opening of a tubular corolla or calyx in a flower.

- The bee crawled deep into the throat of the flower to reach the nectar.
- The botanical illustration clearly marked the throat of the corolla, highlighting the unique patterns that attract specific pollinators.

## Examples

- She has a sore throat and cannot speak clearly.
- The singer drank warm water with honey to soothe her throat before the performance.
- A blockage in the throat can be life-threatening as it obstructs the airway, requiring immediate medical intervention to restore normal breathing.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.