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
Sidney PerkowitzAsphyxiation at birth caused permanent impairment of his nerve-signaling system …—Ann Geracimos
Ann GeracimosIn rats, mice, and rabbits ciguatera poison causes death by asphyxiation.—Kwang-ming Li
Kwang-ming LiExamples of asphyxiation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The girls likely died of asphyxiation, USA TODAY reported.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The death took place at the county jail in Kansas City, Kansas, officials said, and a coroner ruled the inmate died as a result of complications from asphyxiation.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Around the same time, police reported Tammy's death as suspicious and performed an autopsy, with her cause of death being declared asphyxiation.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Among the potential dangers are asphyxiation, blood clots, psychiatric issues such as hallucinations or paranoia, paralysis, neurological damage, and even death.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiation
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Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The death took place at the county jail in Kansas City, Kansas, officials said, and a coroner ruled the inmate died as a result of complications from asphyxiation.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Around the same time, police reported Tammy's death as suspicious and performed an autopsy, with her cause of death being declared asphyxiation.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Among the potential dangers are asphyxiation, blood clots, psychiatric issues such as hallucinations or paranoia, paralysis, neurological damage, and even death.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiation
Cite this Entry
“Asphyxiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asphyxiation. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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