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
Oliver SacksExamples of asphyxia in a Sentence
The cause of death was asphyxia.
Recent Examples on the Web
An autopsy revealed her cause of death to be asphyxia from strangulation and probable smothering and her death was ruled as a homicide.
—Clare Fisher, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024
The 22-year-old died from the combined effects of blunt-force head trauma and asphyxia, said Dr. Michelle DiMarco, an associate medical examiner with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
—Holly Yan, CNN, 19 Nov. 2024
The actor’s cause of death was listed as positional asphyxia due to acute alcohol intoxication, with coronary artery atherosclerosis as a contributing condition, per the outlet.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2024
Authorities would later bring a murder charge against Hutchinson after an autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found Edwards died of asphyxia and compression of the neck and torso.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Nov. 2024
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Clare Fisher, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024
The 22-year-old died from the combined effects of blunt-force head trauma and asphyxia, said Dr. Michelle DiMarco, an associate medical examiner with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
—Holly Yan, CNN, 19 Nov. 2024
The actor’s cause of death was listed as positional asphyxia due to acute alcohol intoxication, with coronary artery atherosclerosis as a contributing condition, per the outlet.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2024
Authorities would later bring a murder charge against Hutchinson after an autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found Edwards died of asphyxia and compression of the neck and torso.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for asphyxia
Dictionary Entries Near asphyxia
Cite this Entry
“Asphyxia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asphyxia. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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