ASPHYXIATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does asphyxiation mean? 

• ASPHYXIATION (noun)
  The noun ASPHYXIATION has 2 senses:

1. the condition of being deprived of oxygen (as by having breathing stopped)

2. killing by depriving of oxygen

  Familiarity information: ASPHYXIATION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ASPHYXIATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The condition of being deprived of oxygen (as by having breathing stopped)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

asphyxiation; suffocation

Context example:

asphyxiation is sometimes used as a form of torture

Hypernyms ("asphyxiation" is a kind of...):

hypoxia (oxygen deficiency causing a very strong drive to correct the deficiency)

Derivation:

asphyxiate (be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen)

asphyxiate (impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of)

asphyxiate (deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Killing by depriving of oxygen

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

asphyxiation; suffocation

Hypernyms ("asphyxiation" is a kind of...):

kill; killing; putting to death (the act of terminating a life)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "asphyxiation"):

choking; strangling; strangulation; throttling (the act of suffocating (someone) by constricting the windpipe)

Derivation:

asphyxiate (be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen)

asphyxiate (deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing)

 Context examples 

A rare autosomal recessive inherited syndrome characterized by a narrow thorax, micromelia, and respiratory disturbances which may lead to asphyxiation.

(Jeune Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

Inhalation causes central nervous system damage and asphyxiation.

(Carbon monoxide, NCI Thesaurus)

A method of euthanasia whereby a subject inhales carbon dioxide until asphyxiation occurs and then the body is immediately drained of blood.

(Carbon Dioxide and Exsanguination Euthanasia, NCI Thesaurus)