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

Cole and Coughlan had barely met before filming the strangulation scene but Cole said the communication was always there and the team worked with an intimacy co-ordinator. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Nov. 2026

State pathologists have said many of the exhumed victims died of starvation, but some showed signs of strangulation. — CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

Post-mortem results concluded the deaths were from starvation, suffocation, strangulation or head injuries. — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2026

The causes of death, the authorities reported, were suffocation and strangulation that had left no broken bones and no bruises or marks. — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 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