chokepoint

Everyday

1. A chokepoint is a narrow place, such as a strait, mountain pass or narrow road, where movement is squeezed together and can easily be blocked. tree →
2. (figurative) A chokepoint is any point in a system where things slow down or get stuck. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and history lessons famous sea chokepoints include the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar; if one is blocked, world trade slows, as when a giant ship got stuck in the Suez Canal a few years ago. In battles, armies defend chokepoints like the pass at Thermopylae. In safety lessons, crowded doors and stairs are chokepoints. Phrases: a strategic chokepoint, traffic chokepoint.

Examples

• The Suez Canal is a chokepoint for ships between Europe and Asia. tree →
• When a huge ship blocked the canal, the chokepoint stopped trade for days. tree →
• The Spartans held the narrow chokepoint at Thermopylae. tree →
• The school gate becomes a chokepoint at home time. tree →
• Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint. tree →
• The narrow bridge was a chokepoint for traffic. tree →
• Fire exits should never become chokepoints. tree →

Note

Written as one word or two (chokepoint, choke point). Mostly used in geography, news and military talk. Related: bottleneck, which means much the same.