asphyxia

noun

as·​phyx·​ia as-ˈfik-sē-ə How to pronounce asphyxia (audio)
əs-
1
: a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body that results in unconsciousness and often death and is usually caused by interruption of breathing or inadequate oxygen supply
2
: the state of being stifled or suppressed
As a patient in hospital I felt both anguish and asphyxia—the anguish of being confronted with dissolution, and asphyxia because I could not be heard.Oliver Sacks

Examples of asphyxia in a Sentence

The cause of death was asphyxia.
Recent Examples on the Web According to the Marion County Coroner's Office, the 27-year-old died from asphyxia due to hanging. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024 The Kentucky State Medical Examiner's Office determined Kilman's cause of death to be asphyxia by manual strangulation, the Campbellsville Police Department announced Monday. Christina Coulter, Fox News, 3 Mar. 2024 The child's cause of death was determined to be asphyxia due to suffocation. Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 29 Feb. 2024 Rayan Mohammed, 18, of Bartlett, Illinois, died as a result of asphyxia from an accidental drowning, according to a release from the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Staff Report, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2023 Campbellsville University student Josiah Kilman, 18, died from asphyxia by manual strangulation, the Campbellsville Police Department said Monday. Brammhi Balarajan, CNN, 26 Feb. 2024 Christopher died at age 50 on Oct. 31, 2023, from positional asphyxia – when the position of a body impedes the ability to breathe – due to acute alcohol intoxication, according to a press release from the San Diego County Medical Examiner. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024 Even without rolling onto their tummies, infants are at risk of positional asphyxia in inclined sleepers; that's because their heavy heads have a tendency to fall forward due to the steep angle. Christin Perry, Parents, 31 Jan. 2024 The General Hospital alum's cause of death was listed as positional asphyxia due to acute alcohol intoxication, according to a report from the Medical Examiner's Office obtained by TMZ. Liza Esquibias, Peoplemag, 27 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'asphyxia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, stopping of the pulse, from a- + sphyzein to throb

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of asphyxia was in 1778

Dictionary Entries Near asphyxia

Cite this Entry

“Asphyxia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asphyxia. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

asphyxia

noun
as·​phyx·​ia as-ˈfik-sē-ə How to pronounce asphyxia (audio)
: a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body usually caused by interruption of breathing or insufficient oxygen supply and resulting in unconsciousness and often death

Medical Definition

asphyxia

noun
as·​phyx·​ia as-ˈfik-sē-ə, əs- How to pronounce asphyxia (audio)
: a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body that is usually caused by interruption of breathing and that causes unconsciousness compare suffocation
asphyxial adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on asphyxia

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