asphyxiation

[ as-fik-see-ey-shuhn ]

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.

Origin of asphyxiation

1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024