Choking

/ˈtʃoʊ.kɪŋ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The act of choking or the condition of being unable to breathe due to an obstruction.

The choking he experienced during the meal required immediate attention.

verb

Present participle of choke; to obstruct the throat or airway, preventing breathing.

He was choking on a piece of food that got stuck in his throat.

To suppress or block something, such as emotions or reactions.

She felt tears choking her voice as she spoke.

To hinder progress or success by overwhelming or overwhelming factors.

The budget cuts are choking the growth of the small business.

Derives from Middle English 'choken', from the Old English 'cacan', meaning 'to choke, suffocate'.

choking hazard

An object that is small enough to be swallowed and poses a risk of choking to a young child.

choke up

To be overcome with emotion or unable to speak.

choke someone off

To interrupt someone by cutting them off in a conversation.

suffocation

The condition of being deprived of air.

strangle

To kill by squeezing the throat.

asphyxiation

The state of being deprived of oxygen.

To perform poorly in a critical situation.

He really choked when it was his turn to present.

To experience a situation where one fails due to pressure.

I choked under the pressure during the final exam.