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

Asphyxiation at birth caused permanent impairment of his nerve-signaling system …

—Ann Geracimos

In rats, mice, and rabbits ciguatera poison causes death by asphyxiation.

—Kwang-ming Li

Examples of asphyxiation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Preliminary autopsy reports stated that each child had died from asphyxiation. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025

Police believe the girls died from asphyxiation and reported that their wrists were zip-tied, court documents said. —Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025

Fieldwork involves navigating treacherous terrain and extreme heat, with risks of burns, asphyxiation, or sudden volcanic activity. —Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

The initial cause of death was believed to be asphyxiation, a condition where the body is deprived of oxygen, per Cleveland Clinic. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing asphyxiation

• autoerotic asphyxiation

Rhymes for asphyxiation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration