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

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

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

"Economic asphyxiation" is the militants' goal, Mamadou Bodian of Senegal's Cheikh Anta Diop University told the BBC.

From BBC • Sep. 17, 2025

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

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

From Seattle Times • May 14, 2023

"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