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asphyxia

American  
[as-fik-see-uh] / æsˈfɪk si ə /

noun

Pathology.

  1. the extreme condition caused by lack of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide in the blood, produced by interference with respiration or insufficient oxygen in the air; suffocation.

asphyxia British  
/ æsˈfɪksɪə /

noun

  1. lack of oxygen in the blood due to restricted respiration; suffocation. If severe enough and prolonged, it causes death

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
asphyxia Scientific  
/ ăs-fĭk′sē-ə /

  1. A condition characterized by an extreme decrease in the amount of oxygen in the body accompanied by an increase of carbon dioxide, caused by an an inability to breathe. Asphyxia usually results in loss of consciousness and sometimes death.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of asphyxia

First recorded in 1700–10; from New Latin, from Greek asphyxía “a stopping of the pulse,” equivalent to a- a- 6 + sphýx(is) “pulse” + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Medical evidence heard during the new inquests stated that the victims who died from asphyxia at Hillsborough were likely to have been subjected to pressure that waxed and waned.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

The autopsy determined he died from asphyxia after aspirating his own vomit, and that his death was accidental.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 12, 2025

Nearly all states have a Peace Officer Standards and Training agency that sets out what must be taught, so AP asked each commission whether it requires instruction on positional asphyxia.

From Seattle Times • May 14, 2024

These results highlight the need for early genetic testing in children with cerebral palsy, especially those with risk factors like birth asphyxia, to ensure they receive the right medical care and treatment.

From Science Daily • May 7, 2024

In 1844 he was secretary to the physiological section of the British Association, and in 1845 he was awarded the Fothergillian gold medal of the Royal Humane Society for his essay on asphyxia.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7 "Equation" to "Ethics" by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.