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
According to Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, an official with Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency, after meeting with a doctor from the Forensic Pathology Section of the Judicial Investigation Agency, the previous cause of death by asphyxiation in Miller's case has been ruled out.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Authorities determined Miller Gardner didn't die from asphyxiation because his respiratory tract was clear, police said.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 25 Mar. 2025
The teenager died of ‘asphyxiation’ while on vacation with his family in Costa Rica, according to NBC News.
—James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025
The teenage son of former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner appears to have died by asphyxiation after possibly having gotten sick from eating something during a family vacation in Costa Rica, authorities in the Central American country said Monday.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for asphyxiation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Hannah Sacks, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Authorities determined Miller Gardner didn't die from asphyxiation because his respiratory tract was clear, police said.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 25 Mar. 2025
The teenager died of ‘asphyxiation’ while on vacation with his family in Costa Rica, according to NBC News.
—James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025
The teenage son of former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner appears to have died by asphyxiation after possibly having gotten sick from eating something during a family vacation in Costa Rica, authorities in the Central American country said Monday.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 25 Mar. 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 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share