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

He was acquitted of intimidation, strangulation and misdemeanor interference with the reporting of a crime. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026

The rapper's boyfriend now faces a felony strangulation or suffocation charge, along with misdemeanor assault, according to online court records reviewed by USA TODAY. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026

Toward the end of the 2025 regular season, Diggs was charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery after an incident that allegedly occurred at his home. —Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026

Juan Narvaez Castro, 23, of Fraser, was booked for assault in the second degree- strangulation. —Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 3 Feb. 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