# throttling

/ˈθɹɑtəɫɪŋ/ (US) · /θɹˈɒtlɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/throttling
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

deliberate slowing of something to control its speed or flow, like internet speed or engine power. You see this when videos load slowly because the provider limits data.

For teachers: deliberate restriction of speed, flow, or throughput to control performance or demand, as in network bandwidth or engine power. Common in computing and engineering to prevent overload or enforce limits.

## Examples

- My phone uses throttling to save battery when it gets hot.
- The internet provider admits to throttling video streams during peak evening hours to reduce congestion.
- Investigators found that sustained CPU throttling under heavy load masked a deeper cooling failure that engineers had overlooked for months.

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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.