asphyxiation

American  

[as-fik-see-ey-shuhn] / æsˌfɪk siˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a lack of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide in the blood, caused by impaired respiration or insufficient oxygen in the air; suffocation.

   The cause of death was severe asphyxiation, apparently from smoke inhalation.

2. the condition of being stifled or suffocated.

   Peripheral countries, faced with economic asphyxiation, are being forced to sell access to their fishing banks for far less than they are worth.

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Etymology

Origin of asphyxiation

asphyxi(ate) ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Explanation

This is a word for dying from lack of oxygen. Anyone who chokes to death dies from asphyxiation. This is a medical word for a horrible thing that could happen to anyone. Asphyxiation, also known as suffocation, means to die from lack of oxygen. Gangsters in crime movies are always practicing asphyxiation, usually by holding a pillow over someone's head so they can't breathe. You have to be especially careful with small children and asphyxiation risks — if they play with a plastic bag and put it over their head, they could accidentally asphyxiate themselves.

Example Sentences

In this A.I.-powered asphyxiation of the information ecosystem, Spero has positioned himself on social media as a folk hero hauling in the oxygen tanks.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

The cause of death was asphyxiation, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Epibatidine, found in the Ecuadoran dart frog, causes muscle paralysis and eventual asphyxiation.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

And we scoop trillions of fish out of the water indiscriminately in large nets who are left to die slowly by asphyxiation.

From Salon • Oct. 19, 2024

"Fits too damned well to be a coincidence! Anthony Marston dies of asphyxiation or choking last night after dinner, and Mother Rogers oversleeps herself with a vengeance."

From "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie