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Showing results for asphyxia. Search instead for asphyxias.
Synonyms

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

  • asphyxial adjective

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.

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

In a statement read to the inquest jury, Home Office pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton said Leah died from "traumatic asphyxia", but had "no natural disease".

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2025

AP contacted the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training and asked whether Rose’s teachings on positional asphyxia align with state requirements.

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

Having escaped asphyxia, it would certainly be a pity to contract pneumonia.

From King of the Air Or, To Morocco on an Aeroplane by Strang, Herbert

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.