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

By Amy Hansen, The Fresh Toast Food asphyxiation is in the news again. —Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025

The coroner's office said that Ackerman sustained blunt force chest trauma resulting in traumatic asphyxiation, and the manner of death has been classified as accidental. —Stepheny Price, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025

Left untreated, swelling caused by Ludwig angina can block your airways, which results in asphyxiation and death. —Francisco J. Rivera Rosario, Health, 11 Mar. 2025

An autopsy concluded that Mr. Ojeda was killed by asphyxiation, according to the documents. —John Bartlett, New York Times, 10 Feb. 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