Word a Day
bottleneck
What does bottleneck mean?
bottleneck (noun): the part of a process that is too slow or cumbersome due to the lessening of available throughput.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where does bottleneck come from?
From bottle + neck.
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Test yourself: do you know “bottleneck”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “bottleneck” mean?
the part of a process that is too slow or cumbersome due to the lessening of available throughput
Right! That's what “bottleneck” means.
one who lags behind; one who takes more time than is necessary or more than the others in a group
Not quite: that's what laggard means.
the act of changing into a different form or appearance (especially a fantastic or grotesque one)
Not quite: that's what transmogrification means.
any of a variety of materials designed to reduce the flow of heat, either from or into a building
Not quite: that's what insulation means.
Learn a word like “bottleneck” every day
Word a Day for iPhone quizzes you on a few new words a day and brings each one back for review at growing intervals. Free, no account, no ads.
Coming soon to the App Store