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

An autopsy report from the Tarrant County medical examiner found asphyxia from use of force and pepper spray as the cause of death. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2024

Prosecutors believe that both participated in the 12-hour exorcism in which Proctor was smothered and strangled until dying of asphyxia. —Stepheny Price, Fox News, 5 June 2024

Five months later, a ruling announced by the Marion County Coroner’s Office provided a much graver account: Burns' death was a homicide from asphyxia. —Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 24 May 2024

Compression asphyxia is a medical emergency and is fatal if untreated. —Korin Miller, Health, 10 May 2024

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