hypoxia

[ hahy-pok-see-uh ]

/ haɪˈpɒk si ə /

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noun

Biology. a very low level of oxygen, as in an organic environment: The fish have developed a tolerance to the hypoxia of the swamp.

Pathology. an abnormally low amount of oxygen in the body tissues: Premature newborns are routinely placed in incubators to treat or prevent hypoxia.Compare anoxia (def. 2), hypoxemia.

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Origin of hypoxia

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

OTHER WORDS FROM hypoxia

hy·pox·ic, adjective

Words nearby hypoxia

hypotyposis, hypovolemia, hypovolemic shock, hypoxanthine, hypoxemia, hypoxia, hypoxic, hypozeugma, hypozeuxis, Hypsilantis, hypso-

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hypoxia in a sentence

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.
People with sleep disorders may face higher risk of severe covid|Linda Searing|December 19, 2021|Washington Post
But by the time the turn was executed the flight crew could have succumbed to hypoxia.
The Tripwire on Flight 370|Clive Irving|March 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hypoxia or anoxia or lack of oxygen could affect his memory.
Warren Commission (6 of 26): Hearings Vol. VI (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

British Dictionary definitions for hypoxia

hypoxia

/ (haɪˈpɒksɪə) /

noun

deficiency in the amount of oxygen delivered to the body tissues

Derived forms of hypoxia

hypoxic (haɪˈpɒksɪk), adjective

Word Origin for hypoxia

C20: from hypo- + oxy- ² + -ia

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012