gerund noun
Being unable to breathe because food or another object is stuck in your throat.
Choking on food can block a person's airway.
Choking is a serious risk for young children.
American English
How to pronounce choking
noun · verb · adjectiveB1Common word
CHOHkihng
/ˈʧoʊ.kɪŋ/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Form of choke
Being unable to breathe because food or another object is stuck in your throat.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
present participle
Being unable to breathe because food or another object is stuck in the throat.
She was choking on a piece of food.
The baby is choking on a grape.
gerund noun
The act of stopping someone from breathing by blocking the throat or pressing on the neck.
Choking someone can cause serious injury.
Choking is not a safe way to restrain someone.
present participle
Stopping someone from breathing by blocking the throat or pressing on the neck.
The smoke is choking the firefighters.
The tight collar is choking her.
Useful expressions
To become unable to speak clearly because you feel a strong emotion.
He choked up while thanking his parents.
To try hard not to cry.
She choked back tears during the farewell.
Related words & forms
Before -ing, drop the final e: choking, not chokeing.