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 coroner determined the victim's cause of death as traumatic asphyxiation, and the manner of death as accidental.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
More specifically, researchers have warned that mouth taping could be dangerous for people with nasal obstruction, potentially increasing the risk of breathing difficulties or asphyxiation, especially since many studies excluded patients with existing nasal issues.
—Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Anna Kepner died from mechanical asphyxiation, officials said.
—Doug Lantz, ABC News, 27 May 2026
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Anna’s cause of death was asphyxiation.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiation
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David Chiu, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
More specifically, researchers have warned that mouth taping could be dangerous for people with nasal obstruction, potentially increasing the risk of breathing difficulties or asphyxiation, especially since many studies excluded patients with existing nasal issues.
—Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Anna Kepner died from mechanical asphyxiation, officials said.
—Doug Lantz, ABC News, 27 May 2026
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that Anna’s cause of death was asphyxiation.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiation
Cite this Entry
“Asphyxiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asphyxiation. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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