Definition
The cockpit control used by the pilot to regulate engine power by adjusting the amount of fuel-air mixture delivered to the engine. Moving the throttle forward increases power; pulling it back reduces power. In multi-engine aircraft, each engine has its own throttle, hence the plural form.
Plain English
The lever or knob the pilot uses to set how much power the engine produces. Push it forward for more power, pull it back for less. Aircraft with more than one engine have one throttle for each.
Context Anchor
In the somatogravic illusion discussion, throttle changes matter because adding power for takeoff or a go-around can make the aircraft accelerate and may feel like the nose is pitching up.
Derivation
From Old English 'throtian,' meaning to choke or constrict the throat. The original mechanical throttle worked by literally restricting (choking) the flow of fuel-air mixture into the engine. Knowing this helps the term feel less abstract: a throttle controls power by controlling flow.
Why Pilots Care
Throttle movements are one of the most frequent control inputs a pilot makes. Smooth, deliberate handling of the throttle affects engine longevity, passenger comfort, and aircraft control. In the somatogravic illusion context, a sudden forward throttle movement during takeoff produces strong forward acceleration that can feel like a steep nose-up pitch, leading to dangerous over-corrections.
Intuition Check
Do not think of throttle(s) as just a car gas pedal. In an aircraft, throttle(s) are power controls, and changing them can also create motion sensations that may mislead the pilot.
Example Sentence 1
After lining up on the runway, the pilot smoothly advanced the throttle to full power for takeoff.
Example Sentence 2
Reducing throttle on final helped keep the deceleration gentle and the nose attitude stable.