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

The official cause of death was listed as compression asphyxia; the victims ranged in age from 9 to 27 years old. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 14 May 2025

The lawsuit also cites the municipality of Henry County, saying law enforcement should be trained to know the risks of positional asphyxia, which family says led to Russell’s death. —Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2025

An initial autopsy found the cause of death to be asphyxia due to neck compression and drowning, and the manner of death to be homicide. —Chris Spargo, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025

The city medical examiner’s office ruled his cause of death as homicidal asphyxia or suffocation. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 24 Mar. 2025

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