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

Authorities later confirmed Kilman died of asphyxia by manual strangulation, reported NBC. —Corin Cesaric, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

The body of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, a Florida high school cheerleader, was found hidden under a cabin bed aboard the Carnival Horizon; an autopsy later ruled her death mechanical asphyxia. —Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026

Days earlier at the same facility, Geraldo Lunas Campos died of asphyxia after ICE said guards restrained him following a suicide attempt. —CBS News, 27 May 2026

The 16-month-old girl died April 8, 2025, from what the Medical Examiner’s Office ruled was accidental asphyxia after her head got wedged between a plastic cot and a crib’s railing. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026

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