A choker is a tight fitting necklace, worn high on the neck. This type of jewelry can consist of one or more bands circumventing the neck. Chokers can be made of a variety of materials, including velvet, beads, metal and leather. They may or may not be adorned with sequins, studs or some kind of pendant and come in a variety of colours.

Some people value chokers for their aesthetic appeal. However, a choker can also carry strong erotic connotations. In part, this can be explained due to a similarity between chokers and collars. In a BDSM context, collars act as a symbol of submission and function as a practical tool of bondage, as (for example) a leash can be attached to them.

Chokers are distinct from collars, in the sense that the former is an item of jewelry and can be worn as such. Although chokers are of little practical value for BDSM, they can be of symbolic and suggestive relevance.

A Choker is also used to refer to an individual who consistently fails to perform under pressure. For example " Eric is a Choker" or " Eric choked when it mattered"