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 victim, 18-year-old Anna Kepner, a high school cheerleader, died from mechanical asphyxia while traveling in international waters with her family and younger stepbrother. —Ed White, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026

Krumins died from crush asphyxia, according to Assistant Coroner Angela Brocklehurst from Bradford Coroner’s Court, who ruled it an accidental death. —Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 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

The woman's cause of death was asphyxia due to multiple traumatic injuries, including strangulation and massive chest compression, the news outlet reported. —Michael Guise, CBS News, 6 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