strangulation

noun

stran·​gu·​la·​tion ˌstraŋ-gyə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the action or process of strangling or strangulating

2

: the state of being strangled or strangulated

especially : excessive or pathological constriction or compression of a bodily tube (such as a blood vessel or a loop of intestine) that interrupts its ability to act as a passage

Examples of strangulation in a Sentence

The cause of death was strangulation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The rapper turned himself in to Miami Beach police Thursday, booked on a charge of battery by strangulation and a misdemeanor charge of battery by intentionally touching, striking or causing bodily harm. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Simple self-defense classes teach someone how to escape an attack, including strangulation, instead of fighting back. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

As for how the others might have died, scholars have suggested asphyxiation, strangulation, or poisoning. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026

Investigators determined the cause of death was strangulation and loss of blood due to blunt force injuries. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for strangulation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

strangulation

noun

stran·​gu·​la·​tion ˌstraŋ-gyə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: an act or process of strangling

2

: the state of being strangled

Medical Definition

strangulation

noun

stran·​gu·​la·​tion ˌstraŋ-gyə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the action or process of strangling or strangulating

2

: the state of being strangled or strangulated

especially : excessive or pathological constriction or compression of a bodily tube (as a blood vessel or a loop of intestine) that interrupts its ability to act as a passage