Library / English Dictionary

BOTTLENECK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The narrow part of a bottle near the top

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("bottleneck" is a kind of...):

part; portion (something less than the whole of a human artifact)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A narrowing that reduces the flow through a channel

Synonyms:

bottleneck; chokepoint; constriction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes

Hypernyms ("bottleneck" is a kind of...):

narrowing (an instance of becoming narrow)

Derivation:

bottleneck (become narrow, like a bottleneck)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Become narrow, like a bottleneck

Example:

Right by the bridge, the road bottlenecks

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "bottleneck" is one way to...):

contract; narrow (make or become more narrow or restricted)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

bottleneck (a narrowing that reduces the flow through a channel)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Slow down or impede by creating an obstruction

Example:

His laziness has bottlenecked our efforts to reform the system

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "bottleneck" is one way to...):

block; blockade; embarrass; hinder; obstruct; stymie; stymy (hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Credits