In the design industry, this word actually has a couple of meanings. In decorative terms, throw is a shortened term for a “throw blanket” or the adjective preceding the word “pillow” when referring to ornamental pillows for sofas, chairs, and beds. In a construction sense, the throw is the distance which a latch or lock bolt projects when in the locked position. The longer the throw, the deeper the bolt inserts into the strike plate and jamb, and the seemingly more secure the connection.