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 next day, the coroner’s report confirmed that the baby had died of asphyxiation.
—Rachel Cohen, Vox, 17 Apr. 2025
Initially, asphyxiation was reported as his preliminary cause of death, however, that was ruled out after an autopsy was performed by the Forensic Pathology Section.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
But food asphyxiation is way more dangerous than cannabis.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
The trial lasted about seven weeks, during which J.J.'s cause of death was revealed to be asphyxiation.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiation
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Rachel Cohen, Vox, 17 Apr. 2025
Initially, asphyxiation was reported as his preliminary cause of death, however, that was ruled out after an autopsy was performed by the Forensic Pathology Section.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
But food asphyxiation is way more dangerous than cannabis.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
The trial lasted about seven weeks, during which J.J.'s cause of death was revealed to be asphyxiation.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiation
Cite this Entry
“Asphyxiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asphyxiation. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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