asphyxia

noun

as·​phyx·​ia as-ˈfik-sē-ə 

əs-

1

: a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body that results in unconsciousness and often death and is usually caused by interruption of breathing or inadequate oxygen supply

2

: the state of being stifled or suppressed

As a patient in hospital I felt both anguish and asphyxia—the anguish of being confronted with dissolution, and asphyxia because I could not be heard.

—Oliver Sacks

Examples of asphyxia in a Sentence

The cause of death was asphyxia.

Recent Examples on the Web

His cause of death is listed as traumatic asphyxia on the medical examiner’s website. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026

An autopsy determined that Skyler died from a hypoxic-ischemic brain injury caused by compressional and positional asphyxia resulting from prolonged physical restraint, according to a statement from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026

The Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency confirmed the identity of the children Thursday evening and said their cause of death is asphyxia due to freshwater drowning. — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

Martin family attorney John Burris told the Athletic that an independent pathologist told the family that Martin potentially died from restraint asphyxia. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, stopping of the pulse, from a- + sphyzein to throb

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

asphyxia

noun

as·​phyx·​ia as-ˈfik-sē-ə 

: a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body usually caused by interruption of breathing or insufficient oxygen supply and resulting in unconsciousness and often death

Medical Definition

asphyxia

noun

as·​phyx·​ia as-ˈfik-sē-ə, əs- 

: a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body that is usually caused by interruption of breathing and that causes unconsciousness compare suffocation

asphyxial

-sē-əl 

adjective