strangle·hold [strangleholdstrangleholds] BrE [ˈstræŋɡlhəʊld] NAmE [ˈstræŋɡlhoʊld] noun singular 1. a strong hold around sb's neck that makes it difficult for them to breathe •Both arms were around his neck in a stranglehold. 2.~ (on sth) complete control over sth that makes it impossible for it to grow or develop well •The company now had a stranglehold on the market. •attempts to break the US stranglehold on the industry