Definition

1. Noun:
   • The state or process of being deprived of oxygen, leading to unconsciousness or death: This is the primary medical and general meaning, referring to the condition caused by a severe lack of oxygen in the body, often due to an inability to breathe.
   • The act of causing such a state: This meaning refers to the action of suffocating or smothering someone or something.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation. (The official reason for the person's death was a lack of oxygen.)
  • Emergency responders treated the victim for smoke inhalation and asphyxiation. (The medical team helped someone who suffered from breathing problems and oxygen deprivation, likely from smoke.)
  • The faulty heater posed a serious risk of carbon monoxide asphyxiation. (The broken heater was dangerous because it could release a gas that prevents the body from using oxygen.)

Advanced Usage

• "Autoerotic asphyxiation": A dangerous practice where a person intentionally restricts oxygen to the brain for sexual arousal, which carries a high risk of accidental death.
  • Authorities warned about the extreme dangers of autoerotic asphyxiation.

Variants and Related Words

• Asphyxiate (verb): To cause asphyxiation; to suffocate.
  • The thick smoke began to asphyxiate the trapped firefighters.
• Asphyxiant (noun/adjective): A substance, such as a gas, that can cause asphyxiation.
  • Carbon monoxide is a deadly chemical asphyxiant.

Synonyms

• Suffocation: The most common synonym, implying death or discomfort from being unable to breathe.
• Smothering: Often implies death caused by covering the nose and mouth or by an overwhelming presence of something (e.g., smoke, a heavy substance).
• Strangulation: Specifically refers to asphyxiation caused by external pressure on the neck.

Related Phrases and Contexts

• Risk of asphyxiation: A common warning label on plastic bags or products for small children.
  • The toy contained small parts, presenting a choking hazard and a risk of asphyxiation.
• Terminal asphyxiation: A medical term for asphyxiation that leads to death.

Noun

1. killing by depriving of oxygen
2. the condition of being deprived of oxygen (as by having breathing stopped)
   • asphyxiation is sometimes used as a form of torture