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

According to Brown County Jail records, strangulation and suffocation is a felony, while the other four are misdemeanors. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026

This month, he was acquitted on felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault charges involving his personal chef. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026

One of his life sentences was for ordering the kidnapping and subsequent strangulation of the 12-year-old son of a witness in the Falcone case, whose body was then dissolved in acid. —CBS News, 28 May 2026

According to the transcript, which was obtained by USA TODAY, the medical examiner found that Kepner had bleeding under the skin around the side and back of her neck, which is indicative of strangulation. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 28 May 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