bottleneck

[bot-l-nek]

noun

1. a narrow entrance or passageway.

2. a place or stage in a process at which progress is impeded.

3. Also called slide guitar. a method of guitar playing that produces a gliding sound by pressing a metal bar or glass tube against the strings.

verb (used with object)

1. to hamper or confine by or as if by a bottleneck.

verb (used without object)

1. to become hindered by or as if by a bottleneck.

bottleneck

/ ˈbɒtəlˌnɛk /

noun

1. 1. a narrow stretch of road or a junction at which traffic is or may be held up

   2. the hold up

2. something that holds up progress, esp of a manufacturing process

3. music

   1. the broken-off neck of a bottle placed over a finger and used to produce a buzzing effect in a style of guitar-playing originally part of the American blues tradition

   2. the style of guitar playing using a bottleneck

verb

1. (tr) to be or cause an obstruction in

bottleneck

1. An abrupt and severe reduction in the number of individuals during the history of a species, resulting in the loss of diversity from the gene pool. The generations following the bottleneck are more genetically homogenous than would otherwise be expected. Bottlenecks often occur in consequence of a catastrophic event.

bottleneck

1. The point at which an industry or economic system has to slow its growth because one or more of its components cannot keep up with demand.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bottleneck¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; bottle ¹ + neck

Example Sentences

But without a trade deal between the US and China, the fear is that the rare earths bottleneck could return, creating a massive supply chain shock.

From BBC

Mr Weaver said he spotted them with a German couple and two Spanish nationals in a "bottleneck" between two boulders.

From BBC

The vast number of attendees caused bottlenecks at entry points, prompting one wag to crack, “What is this, the Second Coming?”

From Los Angeles Times

Responding to suggestions that a lorry park should be created on the now-defunct Sevington Inland Border Facility, Mr Howe said the plan would "create a huge bottleneck" and would not stop tourist traffic issues.

From BBC

"By alleviating bottlenecks in the training pipeline, we can enable doctors to progress their careers and provide the specialist care that patients desperately need."

From BBC

Related Words

• barrier 
• blockage 
• congestion 
• hindrance 
• impediment 
• snag 
• traffic jam