hypoxia

noun

hyp·​ox·​ia hi-ˈpäk-sē-ə How to pronounce hypoxia (audio) hī- How to pronounce hypoxia (audio)
: a deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body

Examples of hypoxia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The state resumed executions in 2025 and carried out a nitrogen-hypoxia execution in March, the first in Louisiana after a years-long pause. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025 His request is on hold as 10 death row inmates filed a lawsuit to block the implementation of nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution, which the state’s legislature authorized earlier this year and went into effect Aug. 5. James Powel, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025 Between 2019 and 2023, the U.S. saw an alarming, 110% increase in deaths due to hypoxia (or oxygen deprivation to the brain) stemming from nitrous oxide abuse, according to researchers. John Wenzel, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2025 Symptoms of hypoxia can range from headaches, dizziness, loss of consciousness and nausea to, in extreme cases, heart attack or brain damage. Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for hypoxia

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypoxia was in 1941

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hypoxia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypoxia. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

hypoxia

noun
hyp·​ox·​ia hip-ˈäk-sē-ə How to pronounce hypoxia (audio) hī-ˈpäk- How to pronounce hypoxia (audio)
: a deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body
hypoxic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on hypoxia

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