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
Henry's body sustained serious burns, and the official cause of death was asphyxiation leading to heart failure.
—Jr Radcliffe, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Henry's body sustained serious burns, and the official cause of death was asphyxiation leading to heart failure.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
According to a Chelan County Superior Court preliminary report cited by Fox 13, authorities said the girls most likely died from asphyxiation.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Among the potential dangers are asphyxiation, blood clots, psychiatric issues such as hallucinations or paranoia, paralysis, neurological damage, and even death.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jr Radcliffe, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Henry's body sustained serious burns, and the official cause of death was asphyxiation leading to heart failure.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
According to a Chelan County Superior Court preliminary report cited by Fox 13, authorities said the girls most likely died from asphyxiation.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
Among the potential dangers are asphyxiation, blood clots, psychiatric issues such as hallucinations or paranoia, paralysis, neurological damage, and even death.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 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 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share