anoxia

American  

[an-ok-see-uh, uh-nok-] / ænˈɒk si ə, əˈnɒk- /

noun

1. Biology. the absence of oxygen, as in an organic environment.

   the simulation of aquatic anoxia in the laboratory.

2. Pathology. the absence or near absence of oxygen in the body tissues; severe hypoxia.

   Metabolism came to an irreversible standstill during prolonged anoxia.

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anoxia British  

/ ænˈɒksɪə /

noun

1. lack or absence of oxygen

2. a deficiency of oxygen in tissues and organs Compare hypoxia

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Other Word Forms

• anoxic adjective

Etymology

Origin of anoxia

First recorded in 1930–35; an- ¹ + ox(ygen) + -ia

Compare meaning

How does anoxia compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hypoxia vs. anoxia

Example Sentences

This summer, workers removed large masses of algae from the lagoon to help prevent anoxia.

From Science Magazine

He reassured jurors that many of the medical terms they have heard during the trial — hypoxia, asphyxia, anoxia — all mean essentially the same thing, “a drastically low level of oxygen.”

From New York Times

In the case of the Cambrian it was periods of anoxia of as-yet-unknown cause.

From Economist

Scientists had previously suspected that anoxia, or a lack of oxygen, was responsible for destroying aquatic life.

From Scientific American

Global warming, acid oceans, anoxia, not to mention a toxic atmosphere.

From The Guardian