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. )

Example Sentences

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

From Salon

The result is the loss of oxygen, asphyxiation of marine life and the creation of so-called “dead zones.”

From Seattle Times

Egypt's health ministry has sent 50 ambulances and two military aircraft to the building, with at least 24 people being treated for asphyxiation along with two for burns.

From BBC

Extreme concentrations of carbon dioxide can lead to death by asphyxiation.

From Seattle Times

Avalanche rescue gear likely wouldn’t have saved lives in this incident, since they likely died from trauma rather than snow asphyxiation, the report noted.

From Seattle Times