asphyxia

noun

as·​phyx·​ia as-ˈfik-sē-ə 

əs-

1

: a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body that results in unconsciousness and often death and is usually caused by interruption of breathing or inadequate oxygen supply

2

: the state of being stifled or suppressed

As a patient in hospital I felt both anguish and asphyxia—the anguish of being confronted with dissolution, and asphyxia because I could not be heard.

—Oliver Sacks

Examples of asphyxia in a Sentence

The cause of death was asphyxia.

Recent Examples on the Web

Blount was one of 10 people who died of compression asphyxia at the beginning of Travis Scott‘s set at Astroworld in Houston in November of 2021. —Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2024

Compression asphyxia is a type of mechanical asphyxia in which a physical force outside of the body deprives it of oxygen.1 Asphyxiation causes symptoms like an inability to speak, bluish skin color, and trouble breathing.2 Call 911 right away if someone's experiencing compression asphyxia. —Korin Miller, Health, 10 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, stopping of the pulse, from a- + sphyzein to throb

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

asphyxia

noun

as·​phyx·​ia as-ˈfik-sē-ə 

: a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body usually caused by interruption of breathing or insufficient oxygen supply and resulting in unconsciousness and often death

Medical Definition

asphyxia

noun

as·​phyx·​ia as-ˈfik-sē-ə, əs- 

: a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body that is usually caused by interruption of breathing and that causes unconsciousness compare suffocation

asphyxial

-sē-əl 

adjective