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

The child was unable to rescue himself and died from strangulation and asphyxia. —Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 5 Aug. 2025

Think of a community health worker in Lusaka using an AI that analyzes a baby’s cry to detect birth asphyxia instantly. —Sylvana Quader Sinha, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025

Researchers have warned that chest compression while in this position might cause positional asphyxia or heart attack. —Sam Eagan, New Yorker, 29 July 2025

Costa Rican National Police earlier declared Warner died from asphyxia after getting caught by a strong ocean current just off a beach in Limon. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025

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