asphyxiation

noun

as·​phyx·​i·​ation as-ˌfik-sē-ˈā-shən 

əs-

: deprivation of oxygen that can result in unconsciousness and often death : an act of asphyxiating a person or animal or a state of asphyxia : suffocation

The autopsy showed that the cause of death was asphyxiation.

Pliny the Elder did not die of falling pumice, but of asphyxiation, as he breathed noxious fumes from the eruption.

—Sidney Perkowitz

Asphyxiation at birth caused permanent impairment of his nerve-signaling system …

—Ann Geracimos

In rats, mice, and rabbits ciguatera poison causes death by asphyxiation.

—Kwang-ming Li

Examples of asphyxiation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As for how the others might have died, scholars have suggested asphyxiation, strangulation, or poisoning. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026

Two years ago, the state of Alabama decided to start killing people on death row by asphyxiation, via nitrogen gas fed into the lungs until the masked person strapped to the gurney expires. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2026

Machado and her daughters had abrasions on their necks, which Lew said is consistent with asphyxiation. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Alabama started using nitrogen hypoxia, a method of asphyxiation, in 2024. — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing asphyxiation

• autoerotic asphyxiation

Rhymes for asphyxiation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation