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

Isolation and asphyxiation are built into the design. — Amer Matar, The Dial, 26 May 2026

The lack of oxygen eventually causes death from asphyxiation. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 11 June 2026

The victims, who authorities said died of asphyxiation, were 48, 44 and 19 years old. — ABC News, 1 July 2026

The public health authority added that medical responders had performed CPR on all three of the victims but each had died from asphyxiation and been identified by their families. — Ali Rampling, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing asphyxiation

• autoerotic asphyxiation

Rhymes for asphyxiation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation