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

She was later pronounced dead, and a medical examiner determined her cause of death to be strangulation. —Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026

However, her family believed she was murdered, and an independent autopsy conducted by a forensic pathologist hired by the Gilberts included findings consistent with strangulation. —Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026

In court on Wednesday, Heuermann said each woman’s cause of death was by strangulation. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026

The woman's cause of death was asphyxia due to multiple traumatic injuries, including strangulation and massive chest compression, the news outlet reported. —Michael Guise, CBS News, 6 Apr. 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