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 city medical examiner’s office later determined the cause of death to be strangulation, and Zheng was charged with murder, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a weapon, according to a criminal complaint. —Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025

Through an autopsy, the medical examiner determined her cause of death was asphyxia due to strangulation, Thoemmes said, adding that her death was ruled a homicide. —Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 22 Jan. 2025

Wallace also confessed to an 11th murder, the 1990 rape and strangulation of 18-year-old Tashanda Bethea in Barnwell. —Michael Gordon, Charlotte Observer, 17 Jan. 2025

Six other charges related to the 2020 incident – harassment, coercion, strangulation, interference with making a report and second counts of menacing and assault in the fourth degree – were dismissed. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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