1
: the action or process of strangling or strangulating
2
: the state of being strangled or strangulated
especially : excessive or pathological constriction or compression of a bodily tube (such as a blood vessel or a loop of intestine) that interrupts its ability to act as a passage

Examples of strangulation in a Sentence

The cause of death was strangulation.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Wisconsin public records show that Ruiz was convicted of 40 misdemeanors and felonies from 2009 to 2025, including robbery by force and strangulation. Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026 Omar Habib was convicted of the misdemeanor established in the law that was passed after George Floyd 's killing, along with felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault, and is facing up to seven years in prison, news outlets reported. ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 The crime, unlawful method of restraint, is a misdemeanor but Officer Omar Habib was also convicted of strangulation, a felony, resulting in his automatic dismissal from the NYPD. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 He was asked to recall details from an interview with the medical examiner regarding strangulation. Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strangulation

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of strangulation was in 1542

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strangulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strangulation. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

strangulation

noun
1
: an act or process of strangling
2
: the state of being strangled

Medical Definition

strangulation

noun
1
: the action or process of strangling or strangulating
2
: the state of being strangled or strangulated
especially : excessive or pathological constriction or compression of a bodily tube (as a blood vessel or a loop of intestine) that interrupts its ability to act as a passage
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!