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
The vast majority of people in Pompeii and Herculaneum—the cities hardest hit—perished from asphyxiation, choking on the thick clouds of noxious gas and ash.
—ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
Hicks' cause of death was asphyxiation and his manner of death was ruled a suicide.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
This year, the contenders include a UK musician who builds instruments out of Furby toys and another whose entry is an ode to erotic asphyxiation.
—Steven Blum, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
The cause of death was suicide via asphyxiation, according to the Tiburon coroner’s office.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
Hicks' cause of death was asphyxiation and his manner of death was ruled a suicide.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
This year, the contenders include a UK musician who builds instruments out of Furby toys and another whose entry is an ode to erotic asphyxiation.
—Steven Blum, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
The cause of death was suicide via asphyxiation, according to the Tiburon coroner’s office.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiation
Cite this Entry
“Asphyxiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asphyxiation. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
