asphyxiation

noun

as·​phyx·​i·​ation as-ˌfik-sē-ˈā-shən 

əs-

: deprivation of oxygen that can result in unconsciousness and often death : an act of asphyxiating a person or animal or a state of asphyxia : suffocation

The autopsy showed that the cause of death was asphyxiation.

Pliny the Elder did not die of falling pumice, but of asphyxiation, as he breathed noxious fumes from the eruption.

—Sidney Perkowitz

Asphyxiation at birth caused permanent impairment of his nerve-signaling system …

—Ann Geracimos

In rats, mice, and rabbits ciguatera poison causes death by asphyxiation.

—Kwang-ming Li

Examples of asphyxiation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The next day, the coroner’s report confirmed that the baby had died of asphyxiation. —Rachel Cohen, Vox, 17 Apr. 2025

Initially, asphyxiation was reported as his preliminary cause of death, however, that was ruled out after an autopsy was performed by the Forensic Pathology Section. —Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025

But food asphyxiation is way more dangerous than cannabis. —Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025

The trial lasted about seven weeks, during which J.J.'s cause of death was revealed to be asphyxiation. —Jessica Sager, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing asphyxiation

• autoerotic asphyxiation

Rhymes for asphyxiation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration