asphyxiation

noun

as·​phyx·​i·​ation as-ˌfik-sē-ˈā-shən 

əs-

: deprivation of oxygen that can result in unconsciousness and often death : an act of asphyxiating a person or animal or a state of asphyxia : suffocation

The autopsy showed that the cause of death was asphyxiation.

Pliny the Elder did not die of falling pumice, but of asphyxiation, as he breathed noxious fumes from the eruption.

—Sidney Perkowitz

Asphyxiation at birth caused permanent impairment of his nerve-signaling system …

—Ann Geracimos

In rats, mice, and rabbits ciguatera poison causes death by asphyxiation.

—Kwang-ming Li

Examples of asphyxiation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first of many tragedies struck the band when Murcia died of asphyxiation following a drug overdose during a tour of England in November 1972. —Daniel Kreps, Andy Greene march 1, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025

The vast majority of the victims died of asphyxiation, choking to death on the thick clouds of noxious gas and ash. —Ars Technica, 27 Feb. 2025

The chemical was linked to 85 deaths in the U.S. from 1980 to 2018, many due to asphyxiation or heart attacks among workers who inhaled it. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 24 Sep. 2024

All four died from gas asphyxiation, WPTA reported. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing asphyxiation

• autoerotic asphyxiation

Rhymes for asphyxiation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration