asphyxia
noun
as·phyx·ia
| \ as-ˈfik-sē-ə
, əs-\
, əs-\
Definition of asphyxia
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
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Examples of asphyxia in a Sentence
The cause of death was asphyxia.
Recent Examples on the Web
The sudden movement from an earthquake may have shifted the car, causing the man to die of traumatic asphyxia, Sgt. — Los Angeles Times, "Nevada’s first recorded earthquake death? This could be it, caused by Ridgecrest temblors," 6 Aug. 2019 Prone restraint means the victim was likely restrained while on their abdomen and asphyxia primarily means oxygen has been barred from entering the airway. — Jessica Schladebeck, courant.com, "Darien man accused of killing Anguilla resort worker says he ‘would do it again’," 20 Aug. 2019 At least 40 inmates showed signs of asphyxia in those incidents. — Fox News, "Brazil prison riot leaves at least 52 dead -- including 16 decapitated," 30 July 2019 The manufacturer’s warning coincided with the release of a Consumer Reports review documenting at least 32 infant deaths between 2011 and 2018 linked to the Rock ’n Play, many from asphyxia or suffocation. — Stephie Grob Plante, Vox, "The Rock ’n Play was recalled after it was linked to 32 infant deaths. It’s still used at some daycares.," 8 Aug. 2019 His cause of death is listed as homicidal asphyxia with compression of neck, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. — Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, "Grammy Award-Winning Jazz Drummer Lawrence Leathers Found Dead at 37 in Building Stairwell," 4 June 2019 The Hamilton County coroner ruled Plush's death an accidental asphyxia due to chest compression. — Travis Fedschun, Fox News, "911 system in trapped Ohio teen case may have crashed before call, official says," 15 Apr. 2018 Officials later ruled the cause of the 40-year-old fashion designer's death as asphyxia and hanging. — Saeed Ahmed, CNN, "Kate Spade is the 3rd high-profile designer in recent years to die by suicide," 5 June 2018 Wilson, who was trapped on the third floor, died of burns and asphyxia. — Mike Hendricks, kansascity, "Firefighters protect us. Who protects them?," 13 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'asphyxia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for asphyxia
asphyxia
noun
English Language Learners Definition of asphyxia
medical
: the state of not being able to breathe
See the full definition for asphyxia in the English Language Learners Dictionary
asphyxia
noun
as·phyx·ia
| \ as-ˈfik-sē-ə, əs-
\
\
Medical Definition of asphyxia
: 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
Other Words from asphyxia
asphyxial
\ -sē-əl
\
adjective
\
adjective
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