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
Sidney PerkowitzAsphyxiation at birth caused permanent impairment of his nerve-signaling system …—Ann Geracimos
Ann GeracimosIn rats, mice, and rabbits ciguatera poison causes death by asphyxiation.—Kwang-ming Li
Kwang-ming LiExamples of asphyxiation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Among the potential dangers are asphyxiation, blood clots, psychiatric issues such as hallucinations or paranoia, paralysis, neurological damage, and even death.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
It was determined that rainbow trout suffer ten minutes of moderate to intense pain between extraction from the water and unconsciousness from asphyxiation and that every dollar spent on electrical-stunning technology could avert between 60 and 1,200 minutes of moderate to extreme fish pain.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Those findings suggested Aria died of asphyxiation, likely smothered, before being placed in the pool, the warrant read.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
After an autopsy was performed the next day, the coroner determined that Kiel died of asphyxiation, the outlets reported.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025
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Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
It was determined that rainbow trout suffer ten minutes of moderate to intense pain between extraction from the water and unconsciousness from asphyxiation and that every dollar spent on electrical-stunning technology could avert between 60 and 1,200 minutes of moderate to extreme fish pain.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Those findings suggested Aria died of asphyxiation, likely smothered, before being placed in the pool, the warrant read.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
After an autopsy was performed the next day, the coroner determined that Kiel died of asphyxiation, the outlets reported.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiation
Cite this Entry
“Asphyxiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asphyxiation. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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