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 lawsuit alleges rape, strangulation, threats and other violence in California, Louisiana and Texas. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Farthing was charged with first-degree strangulation and fourth-degree assault. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

Hicks, 37, was charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, felony assault by strangulation and misdemeanor simple assault, officials said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026

West Virginia assistant football coach Noel Devine was booked into jail on a felony strangulation charge Sunday, records show. — CBS News, 15 Sep. 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