hypoxia

[ hahy-pok-see-uh ]

noun

1. Biology. a very low level of oxygen, as in an organic environment:

   The fish have developed a tolerance to the hypoxia of the swamp.

2. Pathology. an abnormally low amount of oxygen in the body tissues: Compare anoxia ( def 2 ), hypoxemia.

   Premature newborns are routinely placed in incubators to treat or prevent hypoxia.

hypoxia

/ haɪˈpɒksɪə; haɪˈpɒksɪk /

noun

1. deficiency in the amount of oxygen delivered to the body tissues

Derived Forms

• hypoxic, adjective

Other Words From

• hy·pox·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypoxia¹

First recorded in 1940–45; hyp- ( def ) + oxy- ²( def ) + -ia ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypoxia¹

C20: from hypo- + oxy- ² + -ia

Example Sentences

They wrote, however, that having low oxygen levels “may play a role in worse outcomes once the viral illness evolves,” describing hypoxia as an “amplifier” of covid effects.

From Washington Post

But by the time the turn was executed the flight crew could have succumbed to hypoxia.

From The Daily Beast

Hypoxia or anoxia or lack of oxygen could affect his memory.

From Project Gutenberg